Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and storage medium having stored therein information processing program

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus displays an image on a display, directly communicates wirelessly with another information processing apparatus, and also receives a plurality of operation input data from a plurality of operation devices. Then, the information processing apparatus performs game processing for a communication game based on the plurality of operation input data and received information, and based on the game processing, generates, by screen splitting, game images including images on which operations on the plurality of respective operation devices are reflected, and causes the game images to be displayed on the display.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The disclosures of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-30717 andJapanese Patent Application No. 2016-30718, filed on Feb. 22, 2016, areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The technology shown here relates to an information processingapparatus, an information processing system, an information processingmethod, and a storage medium having stored therein an informationprocessing program that can be operated by a plurality of users.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Conventionally, there is a network system where a plurality ofcommunication terminals placed in a closed local area locallycommunicate with each other, and a communication game based on datatransmitted and received to and from the communication terminals isperformed.

The above network system, however, requires as many communicationterminals as the number of players participating in the communicationgame, and each participating player needs to prepare a communicationterminal main body.

Therefore, it is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide aninformation processing apparatus, an information processing system, aninformation processing method, and a storage medium having storedtherein an information processing program that allow a larger number ofusers to participate in a communication game with a small number ofapparatuses.

To achieve the above object, the exemplary embodiment can employ, forexample, the following configurations. It should be noted that it isunderstood that, to interpret the descriptions of the claims, the scopeof the claims should be interpreted only by the descriptions of theclaims. If there is a conflict between the descriptions of the claimsand the descriptions of the specification, the descriptions of theclaims take precedence.

In an exemplary configuration of an information processing apparatusaccording to the exemplary embodiment, an information processingapparatus includes: a display configured to display an image; acommunicator configured to directly communicate wirelessly with anotherinformation processing apparatus; and a computer processor configuredto: receive a plurality of operation input data from a plurality ofoperation devices; perform game processing for a communication gamebased on the plurality of operation input data and information receivedvia the communicator; and based on the game processing, generate, byscreen splitting, game images including images on which operations onthe plurality of respective operation devices are reflected, and causethe game images to be displayed on the display.

It should be noted that the above operation devices may be able to beoperated by a single user, or may include one or more controllers orunits. In this case, a plurality of operation devices are used, wherebya plurality of users can perform operations.

Based on the above, even with a communication game in which directcommunication is performed using a portable information processingapparatus, it is possible to achieve a communication game in which alarger number of users can participate with a small number ofapparatuses.

Further, the communicator may further transmit, to the other informationprocessing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices operating the informationprocessing apparatus.

Based on the above, it is possible to notify another informationprocessing apparatus of the number of operation devices used for anoperation.

Further, the communicator may receive, from the other informationprocessing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices operating the otherinformation processing apparatus. The computer processor may be furtherconfigured to, based onnumber-of-operation-devices-operating-own-information-processing-apparatusinformation indicating the number of the operation devices operating theinformation processing apparatus and the receivednumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information,calculate number-of-all-operation-devices information indicating thenumber of all operation devices used for the communication game andstore the number-of-all-operation-devices information in a memory.

Based on the above, it is possible to calculate the number of alloperation devices used in the other information processing apparatus andthe information processing apparatus directly communicating with eachother.

Further, the number-of-all-operation-devices information may be furthertransmitted to the other information processing apparatus via thecommunicator.

Based on the above, it is possible to manage the number of all operationdevices also in the other information processing apparatus with whichthe information processing apparatus directly communicates.

Further, the communicator further may receive from the other informationprocessing apparatus a participation request to participate in thecommunication game, together with thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information of theother information processing apparatus. In response to the receivedparticipation request, in a case where a number obtained by adding thenumber of operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationreceived together with the participation request to the number of alloperation devices indicated by the number-of-all-operation-devicesinformation at a current moment exceeds a predetermined upper limit, theparticipation request may be rejected, and a notification indicatingthat the other information processing apparatus is not permitted toparticipate in the communication game may be transmitted via thecommunicator to the other information processing apparatus with whichthe participation request is made.

Based on the above, it is possible to place a limitation on the numberof all operation devices that can be used.

Further, the communicator may receive, from the other informationprocessing apparatus, number-of-all-operation-devices informationobtained by totaling the numbers of the operation devices operatinginformation processing apparatuses participating in the communicationgame.

Based on the above, it is possible to manage the number of all operationdevices in each information processing apparatus participating in thecommunication game.

Further, the computer processor may be further configured to determinewhether or not a participation request to participate in thecommunication game can be made, and in a case where a participationrequest can be made, then based on the plurality of operation inputdata, transmit to, at least one of other information processingapparatuses participating in the communication game, a participationrequest to participate in the communication game. In this case, in acase where a number obtained by adding the number of the plurality ofoperation devices from which the plurality of operation input data arereceived to the number of all operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-all-operation-devices information exceeds a predeterminedupper limit, the participation request may not be transmitted to theother information processing apparatus.

Based on the above, based on a limitation on the number of all operationdevices that can be used, the information processing apparatus withwhich a participation request is made can determine whether or not toparticipate in the communication game.

Further, the communicator may receive, from the other informationprocessing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices operating the otherinformation processing apparatus. The computer processor may be furtherconfigured to total the number of operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationreceived from an apparatus participating in the communication game,calculate number-of-operation-devices state information indicating thenumber of operation devices at a current moment to be used for thecommunication game, and store the number-of-operation-devices stateinformation in a memory.

Based on the above, it is possible to calculate the number of alloperation devices used in another information processing apparatus withwhich the information processing apparatus directly communicates.

Further, the computer processor may be further configured to generate animage including information indicating presence of another informationprocessing apparatus with which the communicator can perform the directcommunication, and display the image on the display. At least one startstandby image for the communication game including at least an imagethat allows recognition of a number indicated by thenumber-of-all-operation-devices information may be generated. Thecomputer processor may be further configured to, in a case where any ofthe plurality of operation input data indicate an operation indicatingparticipation in the communication game represented by the start standbyimage, transmit, to at least one of other information processingapparatuses participating in the communication game, a participationrequest to participate in the communication game.

Based on the above, the number of all operation devices used in anotherinformation processing apparatus and the information processingapparatus is displayed. Thus, a user can easily determine whether or notthe user can participate in the communication game.

Further, the information received via the communicator may be operationdata indicating an operation on a predetermined operation device orposition data of a position, in a virtual space, of an object thatappears in the communication game.

Based on the above, operation data indicating an operation on anoperation device or position data of an object appearing in thecommunication game are transmitted and received, whereby it is possibleto easily achieve a communication game between a plurality ofinformation processing apparatuses.

Further, each of the plurality of operation devices may be wirelesslyconnected to the information processing apparatus through wirelesscommunication. The plurality of operation input data may be receivedusing the wireless connection.

Based on the above, the information processing apparatus and a pluralityof operation devices are wirelessly connected together, whereby even ina case where the plurality of operation devices are operated by aplurality of users, it is possible to easily operate the plurality ofoperation devices.

Further, the computer processor may be further configured to, based onoperation input data selected by a user of the information processingapparatus from a plurality of use forms, determine the number of theoperation devices operating the information processing apparatus.

Based on the above, by the operation of selecting one from among aplurality of use forms, it is possible to easily specify the number ofoperation devices to be used for an operation.

Further, the information processing apparatus may be able to display animage by switching between the display provided in a main body of theinformation processing apparatus and an external display providedoutside the main body of the information processing apparatus. In a casewhere an image is displayed on the external display, the game imagesgenerated by screen splitting may be displayed on at least the externaldisplay.

Based on the above, it is possible to display a game image on anexternal display apparatus outside the information processing apparatusand also display a game image even on an external display apparatus bysplitting a relatively large display screen.

Further, each of the game images may be an image including a virtualobject that can be operated using each of the operation devices, or animage viewed from a virtual camera that can be operated using each ofthe operation devices.

Based on the above, it is possible to use each of game images displayedin a splitting manner, as an image for each user operating an operationdevice to control a virtual object.

Further, in an exemplary configuration of an information processingsystem according to the exemplary embodiment, an information processingsystem includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses and apredetermined number of operation devices, one or more of which areconnected to each of the information processing apparatuses for gameprocessing and each output operation data to the connected informationprocessing apparatus. The number of the operation devices is a numberexceeding the number of the plurality of information processingapparatuses. Each of the plurality of information processing apparatusesincludes: a display configured to display an image; a communicatorconfigured to wirelessly communicate with any of the other informationprocessing apparatuses; and a computer processor configured to: performthe game processing; and generate a game image based on the gameprocessing and cause the game image to be displayed on the display, eachof the information processing apparatuses wirelessly communicates withany of the other information processing apparatuses via thecommunicator, based on operation data acquired from the connectedoperation devices and data acquired via the communicator, gameprocessing for a communication game is performed, any of the informationprocessing apparatuses to which two or more of the operation devices areconnected generates, by screen splitting, game images including imageson which operations on the two or more respective operation devices arereflected, and causes the game images to be displayed on the display ofthe information processing apparatus, and any of the informationprocessing apparatuses to which one of the operation devices isconnected generates, without splitting a screen, a game image includingan image on which an operation on the one of the operation devices isreflected, and causes the game image to be displayed on the display ofthe information processing apparatus.

Based on the above, even in a communication game in which portableinformation processing apparatuses wirelessly communicate with eachother, it is possible to achieve a communication game in which a largernumber of users can participate with a small number of apparatuses.

Further, the communicator may transmit, to the other informationprocessing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices connected to theinformation processing apparatus.

Based on the above, it is possible to notify another informationprocessing apparatus of the number of operation devices used for anoperation.

Further, the communicator of one of the plurality of informationprocessing apparatuses may receive, from any of the other informationprocessing apparatuses,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices connected to the otherinformation processing apparatus. The computer processor of one of theinformation processing apparatuses may be further configured to, basedonnumber-of-operation-devices-operating-own-information-processing-apparatusinformation indicating the number of the operation devices connected tothe information processing apparatus and the receivednumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information,calculate number-of-all-operation-devices information indicating thenumber of all operation devices used for the communication game andstore the number-of-all-operation-devices information in a memory.

Based on the above, one of a plurality of information processingapparatuses can calculate the number of all operation devices used inanother one of the other information processing apparatuses with whichthe one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses directlycommunicates and in the one of the plurality of information processingapparatuses directly communicates.

Further, the number-of-all-operation-devices information may be furthertransmitted to the other information processing apparatus via thecommunicator.

Based on the above, it is possible to manage the number of all operationdevices also in another information processing apparatus with which theinformation processing apparatus directly communicates.

Further, the communicator of one of the information processingapparatuses may further receive from any of the other informationprocessing apparatuses a participation request to participate in thecommunication game, together with thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information of theother information processing apparatus. In response to the receivedparticipation request, in a case where a number obtained by adding thenumber of operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationreceived together with the participation request to the number of alloperation devices indicated by the number-of-all-operation-devicesinformation at a current moment exceeds a predetermined upper limit, theparticipation request may be rejected, and a notification indicatingthat the other information processing apparatus is not permitted toparticipate in the communication game may be transmitted via thecommunicator to the other information processing apparatus with whichthe participation request is made.

Based on the above, one of the plurality of information processingapparatuses can place a limitation on the number of all operationdevices that can be used.

Further, the communicator may receive, from the other informationprocessing apparatus, number-of-all-operation-devices informationobtained by totaling the numbers of the operation devices connected toinformation processing apparatuses participating in the communicationgame.

Based on the above, it is possible to manage the number of all operationdevices in each information processing apparatus participating in thecommunication game.

Further, the computer processor of at least one of the plurality ofinformation processing apparatuses may be further configured todetermine whether or not a participation request to participate in thecommunication game can be made, and in a case where a participationrequest can be made, then based on the plurality of operation inputdata, transmit, to at least one of the other information processingapparatuses participating in the communication game, a participationrequest to participate in the communication game. In a case where anumber obtained by adding the number of the operation devices connectedto the information processing apparatus to the number of all operationdevices indicated by the number-of-all-operation-devices informationexceeds a predetermined upper limit, the participation request may notbe transmitted to the other information processing apparatus.

Based on the above, based on a limitation on the number of all operationdevices that can be used, the information processing apparatus withwhich a participation request is made can determine whether or not toparticipate in the communication game.

Further, the communicator of at least one of the plurality ofinformation processing apparatuses may receive, from any of the otherinformation processing apparatuses,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices connected to the otherinformation processing apparatus. The computer processor of at least oneof the information processing apparatuses may be further configured tototal the number of operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationreceived by an apparatus participating in the communication game,calculate number-of-operation-devices state information indicating thenumber of operation devices at a current moment used in thecommunication game, and store the number-of-operation-devices stateinformation in the memory.

Based on the above, it is possible to calculate the number of alloperation devices used in another information processing apparatus withwhich the information processing apparatus directly communicates.

Further, the computer processor of each of the plurality of informationprocessing apparatuses may be further configured to generate an imageincluding information indicating presence of another informationprocessing apparatus with which the communicator can perform thewireless communication, and display the image on the display. At leastone start standby image for the communication game including at least animage that allows recognition of a number indicated by thenumber-of-all-operation-devices information may be generated. Thecomputer processor of each of the plurality of information processingapparatuses may be further configured to, in a case where any of theplurality of operation data acquired from the connected operationdevices indicate an operation indicating participation in thecommunication game represented by the start standby image, transmit, toat least one of the other information processing apparatusesparticipating in the communication game, a participation request toparticipate in the communication game.

Based on the above, the number of all operation devices used in anotherinformation processing apparatus and the information processingapparatus is displayed. Thus, a user can easily determine whether or notthe user can participate in the communication game.

Further, the communicator of one of the information processingapparatuses further may receive from any of the other informationprocessing apparatuses a participation request to participate in thecommunication game, together with thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information of theother information processing apparatus. In response to the receivedparticipation request, in at least one of a case where a number obtainedby adding the number of operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationreceived together with the participation request to the number of alloperation devices indicated by the number-of-all-operation-devicesinformation at a current moment exceeds a first upper limit, and a casewhere a number obtained by adding the other information processingapparatus with which the participation request is made to the number ofinformation processing apparatuses with which participation requests aremade to participate in the communication game at the current momentexceeds a second upper limit, the participation request may be rejected,and a notification indicating that the other information processingapparatus is not permitted to participate in the communication game maybe transmitted via the communicator to the other information processingapparatus with which the participation request is made.

Based on the above, it is possible to place a participation restrictionbased on the number of information processing apparatuses participatingin a communication game or the number of operation devices to be used.

In an exemplary configuration of an information processing methodaccording to the exemplary embodiment, an information processing methodis executed by a processor or cooperation of a plurality of processors,the processor or the plurality of processors included in an informationprocessing system including a plurality of information processingapparatuses each including a display configured to display an image, anda predetermined number of operation devices. One or more of theoperation devices are connected to each of the information processingapparatuses for game processing and each output operation data to theconnected information processing apparatus. The number of the operationdevices is a number exceeding the number of the plurality of informationprocessing apparatuses. Each of the plurality of information processingapparatuses: wirelessly communicates with any of the other informationprocessing apparatuses; and based on operation data acquired from theconnected operation devices and data acquired through the wirelesscommunication, perform game processing for a communication game. Any ofthe information processing apparatuses to which two or more of theoperation devices are connected generates, by screen splitting, gameimages including images on which operations on the two or morerespective operation devices are reflected, and causes the game imagesto be displayed on the display of the information processing apparatus.Any of the information processing apparatuses to which one of theoperation devices is connected generates, without splitting a screen, agame image including an image on which an operation on the one of theoperation devices is reflected, and causes the game image to bedisplayed on the display of the information processing apparatus.

Based on the above, even in a communication game in which portableinformation processing apparatuses wirelessly communicate with eachother, it is possible to achieve a communication game in which a largernumber of users can participate with a small number of apparatuses.

Further, the information processing apparatus may further transmit, tothe other information processing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices connected to theinformation processing apparatus.

Based on the above, it is possible to notify another informationprocessing apparatus of the number of operation devices used for anoperation.

Further, one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses mayreceive, from any of the other information processing apparatuses,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices connected to the otherinformation processing apparatus. The computer processor of one of theinformation processing apparatuses may be further configured to, basedonnumber-of-operation-devices-operating-own-information-processing-apparatusinformation indicating the number of the operation devices connected tothe information processing apparatus and the receivednumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information,calculate number-of-all-operation-devices information indicating thenumber of all operation devices used for the communication game.

Based on the above, one of a plurality of information processingapparatuses can calculate the number of all operation devices used inanother one of the other information processing apparatuses with whichthe one of the plurality of information processing apparatuses directlycommunicates and in the one of the plurality of information processingapparatuses.

Further, in an exemplary configuration of a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having stored therein an informationprocessing program according to the exemplary embodiment, in anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein aninformation processing program, the information processing program isexecuted by a computer included in an information processing apparatusincluding a display configured to display an image and capable ofdirectly communicating wirelessly with another information processingapparatus and causes the computer to execute: receiving a plurality ofoperation input data from a plurality of operation devices; performinggame processing for a communication game based on the plurality ofoperation input data and information received through the directcommunication; based on the game processing, generating, by screensplitting, game images including images on which operations on theplurality of respective operation devices are reflected, and causing thegame images to be displayed on the display; and transmitting to theother information processing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices from which the pluralityof the operation input data are received.

Based on the above, even in a communication game in which directcommunication is performed using portable information processingapparatuses, it is possible to achieve a communication game in which alarger number of users can participate with a small number ofapparatuses. Thus, it is possible to notify another informationprocessing apparatus of the number of operation devices used for anoperation.

Further, the information received through the direct communication mayinclude at least number-of-all-operation-devices information obtained bytotaling the numbers of the operation devices operating informationprocessing apparatuses participating in the communication game.

Based on the above, it is possible to manage the number of all operationdevices in each information processing apparatus participating in thecommunication game.

Further, in another exemplary configuration of a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having stored therein an informationprocessing program according to the exemplary embodiment, in anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein aninformation processing program, the information processing program isexecuted by a computer included in an information processing apparatusincluding a display configured to display an image and capable ofdirectly communicating wirelessly with another information processingapparatus and causes the computer to execute: receiving a plurality ofoperation input data from a plurality of operation devices; performinggame processing for a communication game based on the plurality ofoperation input data and information received through the directcommunication; based on the game processing, generating, by screensplitting, game images including images on which operations on theplurality of operation devices are reflected, and causing the gameimages to be displayed on the display; acquiring, from the otherinformation processing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices operating the otherinformation processing apparatus; and based on

number-of-operation-devices-operating-own-information-processing-apparatusinformation indicating the number of the operation devices from whichthe plurality of operation input data are received and the receivednumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information,calculating number-of-all-operation-devices information indicating thenumber of all operation devices used for the communication game andstoring the number-of-all-operation-devices information in a memory.

Based on the above, even in a communication game in which directcommunication is performed using portable information processingapparatuses, it is possible to achieve a communication game in which alarger number of users can participate with a small number ofapparatuses. Thus, it is possible to calculate the number of alloperation devices used in another information processing apparatus withwhich the information processing apparatus directly communicates and inthe information processing apparatus.

Further, the number-of-all-operation-devices information may be furthertransmitted to the other information processing apparatus in the storingof the number-of-all-operation-devices information in the memory.

Based on the above, it is possible to manage the number of all operationdevices also in the other information processing apparatus with whichthe information processing apparatus directly communicates.

According to the exemplary embodiment, even in a communication game inwhich direct communication is performed using portable informationprocessing apparatuses, it is possible to achieve a communication gamein which a larger number of users can participate with a small number ofapparatuses.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of theexemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state where aleft controller 3 and a right controller 4 are attached to a main bodyapparatus 2 in an example of an information processing system 1according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state whereeach of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 is detachedfrom the main body apparatus 2;

FIG. 3 is six orthogonal views showing a non-limiting example of themain body apparatus 2;

FIG. 4 is six orthogonal views showing a non-limiting example of theleft controller 3;

FIG. 5 is six orthogonal views showing a non-limiting example of theright controller 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of anothernon-limiting example of the information processing system according tothe exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the externalconfiguration of a cradle 5;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internalconfiguration of the main body apparatus 2;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internalconfiguration of the information processing system 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a non-limiting example of theinternal configuration of the cradle 5;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state where asingle user uses the information processing system 1 by holding one ofthe left controller 3 and the right controller 4 in a separate state;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state wheretwo users use a single information processing system 1 by each holding asingle controller in the separate state;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a use form in acase where images are displayed on a stationary monitor 6 using three ormore controllers;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the flow of anoperation in a case where a display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 isswitched to a display screen of the stationary monitor 6, and images aredisplayed;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state where aplurality of information processing systems 1 perform informationprocessing based on information transmitted and received through localcommunication;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the flow of anoperation in each form in a case where a game in which multiplayer playis performed using one or more information processing systems 1 isperformed;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the flow of anoperation in each form in a case where a game in which multiplayer playis performed using one or more information processing systems 1 isperformed;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the flow of anoperation in each form in a case where a game in which multiplayer playis performed using one or more information processing systems 1 isperformed;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the flow of anoperation in each form in a case where a game in which multiplayer playis performed using one or more information processing systems 1 isperformed;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a data area setin a DRAM 85 of the main body apparatus 2 according to the exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a non-limiting example of processing upto the setting of a lobby in the information processing executed by theinformation processing system 1;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing a non-limiting example of processing ina case where the information processing system 1 becomes a childapparatus in a communication game in the information processing executedby the information processing system 1;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing a non-limiting example of processing ina case where the information processing system 1 becomes a parentapparatus in a communication game in the information processing executedby the information processing system 1;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing a non-limiting example of processingperformed without locally communicating with another informationprocessing system in the information processing executed by theinformation processing system 1; and

FIG. 25 is a subroutine flow chart showing a non-limiting example of thedetails of a mode confirmation process performed in steps 264 and 267 inFIG. 24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

A description is given below of an information processing apparatus, aninformation processing system, an information processing method, and aninformation processing program according to an exemplary embodiment. Inthe exemplary embodiment, an information processing system 1 includes amain body apparatus (information processing apparatus) 2, a leftcontroller 3, and a right controller 4. Further, in another form, theinformation processing system may further include a cradle 5 (see FIGS.5 and 7 and the like) in addition to the above configuration. In theinformation processing system 1 according to the exemplary embodiment,the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are attachable to anddetachable from the main body apparatus 2. The information processingsystem 1 can be used as an integrated apparatus obtained by attachingeach of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 to the mainbody apparatus 2. Further, the main body apparatus 2, the leftcontroller 3, and the right controller 4 can also be used as separatebodies (see FIG. 2). Further, the information processing system 1 can beused in the form in which an image is displayed on the main bodyapparatus 2, and in the form in which an image is displayed on anotherdisplay apparatus such as a television. In the first form, theinformation processing system 1 can be used as a mobile apparatus (e.g.,a mobile game apparatus). Further, in the second form, the informationprocessing system 1 can be used as a stationary apparatus (e.g., astationary game apparatus).

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the state where the left controller 3 andthe right controller 4 are attached to the main body apparatus 2 in anexample of the information processing system 1 according to theexemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processingsystem 1 includes the main body apparatus 2, the left controller 3, andthe right controller 4. Each of the left controller 3 and the rightcontroller 4 is attached to and integrated with the main body apparatus2. The main body apparatus 2 is an apparatus for performing variousprocesses in the information processing system 1. The main bodyapparatus 2 includes a display 12. Each of the left controller 3 and theright controller 4 is an apparatus including operation sections withwhich a user provides inputs.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the state where each of theleft controller 3 and the right controller 4 is detached from the mainbody apparatus 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the left controller 3 andthe right controller 4 are attachable to and detachable from the mainbody apparatus 2. The left controller 3 can be attached to a left sidesurface (a side surface further in a positive x-axis direction shown inFIG. 1) of the main body apparatus 2 and is attachable to and detachablefrom the main body apparatus 2 by sliding the left controller 3 alongthe left side surface of the main body apparatus 2 in a y-axis directionshown in FIG. 1. Further, the right controller 4 can be attached to aright side surface (a side surface further in a negative x-axisdirection shown in FIG. 1) of the main body apparatus 2 and isattachable to and detachable from the main body apparatus 2 by slidingthe right controller 4 along the right side surface of the main bodyapparatus 2 in the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1. It should be notedthat hereinafter, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 willoccasionally be referred to collectively as “controllers”. It should benoted that in the exemplary embodiment, an “operation device” operatedby a single user may be a single controller (e.g., one of the leftcontroller 3 and the right controller 4) or a plurality of controllers(e.g., both the left controller 3 and the right controller 4, or thesecontrollers and another controller), and the “operation device” can beconfigured by one or more controllers. A description is given below ofexamples of the specific configurations of the main body apparatus 2,the left controller 3, and the right controller 4.

FIG. 3 is six orthogonal views showing an example of the main bodyapparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body apparatus 2 includes agenerally plate-shaped housing 11. In the exemplary embodiment, a mainsurface of the housing 11 (in other words, a surface on a front side,i.e., a surface on which the display 12 is provided) has a roughlyrectangular shape. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 11 is shapedto be horizontally long. That is, in the exemplary embodiment, thelongitudinal direction of the main surface of the housing 11 (i.e., anx-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) is referred to as a “horizontaldirection” (also a “left-right direction”), the short direction of themain surface (i.e., the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) is referred toas a “vertical direction” (also an “up-down direction”), and a directionperpendicular to the main surface (i.e., a z-axis direction shown inFIG. 1) is referred to as a depth direction (also a “front-backdirection”). The main body apparatus 2 can be used in the orientation inwhich the main body apparatus 2 is horizontally long. Further, the mainbody apparatus 2 can also be used in the orientation in which the mainbody apparatus 2 is vertically long. In this case, the housing 11 may beconsidered as being shaped to be vertically long.

It should be noted that the housing 11 may have any shape and size. Asan example, the housing 11 may have a portable size. Further, the mainbody apparatus 2 alone or an integrated apparatus obtained by attachingthe left controller 3 and the right controller 4 to the main bodyapparatus 2 may function as a mobile apparatus. Alternatively, the mainbody apparatus 2 or the integrated apparatus may function as a handheldapparatus. Yet alternatively, the main body apparatus 2 or theintegrated apparatus may function as a portable apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body apparatus 2 includes the display 12,which is provided on the main surface of the housing 11. The display 12displays an image (a still image or a moving image) acquired orgenerated by the main body apparatus 2. In the exemplary embodiment, thedisplay 12 is a liquid crystal display apparatus (LCD). The display 12,however, may be a display apparatus of any type.

Further, the main body apparatus 2 includes a touch panel 13 on thescreen of the display 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the touch panel13 is of a type that allows a multi-touch input (e.g., an electrostaticcapacitance type). The touch panel 13, however, may be of any type. Forexample, the touch panel 13 may be of a type that allows a single-touchinput (e.g., a resistive type).

The main body apparatus 2 includes loudspeakers (i.e., loudspeakers 88shown in FIG. 8) within the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, loudspeakerholes 11 a and 11 b are formed on the main surface of the housing 11.Then, sounds output from the loudspeakers 88 are output through theloudspeaker holes 11 a and 11 b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body apparatus 2 includes a left railmember 15 on the left side surface of the housing 11. The left railmember 15 is a member for detachably attaching the left controller 3 tothe main body apparatus 2. The left rail member 15 is provided so as toextend along the up-down direction on the left side surface of thehousing 11. The left rail member 15 is shaped so as to be engaged with aslider (i.e., a slider 40 shown in FIG. 4) of the left controller 3, anda slide mechanism is formed of the left rail member 15 and the slider40. With this slide mechanism, it is possible to slidably and detachablyattach the left controller 3 to the main body apparatus 2.

Further, the main body apparatus 2 includes a left terminal 17. The leftterminal 17 is a terminal for the main body apparatus 2 to wirelesslycommunicate with the left controller 3. The left terminal 17 is providedat the position where, in a case where the left controller 3 is attachedto the main body apparatus 2, the left terminal 17 comes into contactwith a terminal (a terminal 42 shown in FIG. 4) of the left controller3. The specific position of the left terminal 17 is optional. In theexemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the left terminal 17 isprovided on a bottom surface of the left rail member 15. Further, in theexemplary embodiment, the left terminal 17 is provided near a lower endportion on the bottom surface of the left rail member 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the right side surface of the housing 11,components similar to the components provided on the left side surfaceare provided. That is, the main body apparatus 2 includes a right railmember 19 on the right side surface of the housing 11. The right railmember 19 is provided so as to extend along the up-down direction on theright side surface of the housing 11. The right rail member 19 is shapedso as to be engaged with a slider (i.e., a slider 62 shown in FIG. 5) ofthe right controller 4, and a slide mechanism is formed of the rightrail member 19 and the slider 62. With this slide mechanism, it ispossible to slidably and detachably attach the right controller 4 to themain body apparatus 2.

Further, the main body apparatus 2 includes a right terminal 21. Theright terminal 21 is a terminal for the main body apparatus 2 towirelessly communicate with the right controller 4. The right terminal21 is provided at the position where, in a case where the rightcontroller 4 is attached to the main body apparatus 2, the rightterminal 21 comes into contact with a terminal (a terminal 64 shown inFIG. 5) of the right controller 4. The specific position of the rightterminal 21 is optional. In the exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG.3, the right terminal 21 is provided on a bottom surface of the rightrail member 19. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the right terminal21 is provided near a lower end portion on the bottom surface of theright rail member 19.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body apparatus 2 includes a first slot 23.The first slot 23 is provided on an upper side surface of the housing11. The first slot 23 is so shaped that a first type storage medium isattachable to the first slot 23. The first type storage medium is, forexample, a dedicated storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) forthe information processing system 1 and an information processingapparatus of the same type as that of the information processing system1. The first type storage medium is used to, for example, store data(e.g., saved data of an application or the like) used by the main bodyapparatus 2, and/or a program (e.g., a program for an application or thelike) executed by the main body apparatus 2. Further, the main bodyapparatus 2 includes a power button 28. As shown in FIG. 3, the powerbutton 28 is provided on the upper side surface of the housing 11. Thepower button 28 is a button for switching between an on-state and anoff-state of the power supply of the main body apparatus 2.

The main body apparatus 2 includes a sound input/output terminal(specifically, earphone jack) 25. That is, in the main body apparatus 2,a microphone or earphones can be attached to the sound input/outputterminal 25. As shown in FIG. 3, the sound input/output terminal 25 isprovided on the upper side surface of the housing 11.

The main body apparatus 2 includes sound volume buttons 26 a and 26 b.As shown in FIG. 3, the sound volume buttons 26 a and 26 b are providedon the upper side surface of the housing 11. The sound volume buttons 26a and 26 b are buttons for giving an instruction to adjust the volume ofa sound output from the main body apparatus 2. That is, the sound volumebutton 26 a is a button for giving an instruction to turn down the soundvolume, and the sound volume button 26 b is a button for giving aninstruction to turn up the sound volume.

Further, in the housing 11, an exhaust hole 11 c is formed. As shown inFIG. 3, the exhaust hole 11 c is formed on the upper side surface of thehousing 11. The exhaust hole 11 c is formed to exhaust (in other words,release) heat generated within the housing 11 to outside the housing 11.That is, the exhaust hole 11 c can also be said to be a heat exhausthole.

The main body apparatus 2 includes a lower terminal 27. The lowerterminal 27 is a terminal for the main body apparatus 2 to communicatewith the cradle 5, which will be described later. As shown in FIG. 3,the lower terminal 27 is provided on a lower side surface of the housing11. In a case where the main body apparatus 2 is attached to the cradle5, the lower terminal 27 is connected to a terminal (a main bodyterminal 73 shown in FIG. 7) of the cradle 5. In the exemplaryembodiment, the lower terminal 27 is a USB connector (more specifically,a female connector).

Further, the main body apparatus 2 includes a second slot 24. In theexemplary embodiment, the second slot 24 is provided on the lower sidesurface of the housing 11. Alternatively, in another exemplaryembodiment, the second slot 24 may be provided on the same surface asthe first slot 23. The second slot 24 is so shaped that a second typestorage medium different from the first type storage medium isattachable to the second slot 24. The second type storage medium may be,for example, a general-purpose storage medium. For example, the secondtype storage medium may be an SD card. Similarly to the first typestorage medium, the second type storage medium is used to, for example,store data (e.g., saved data of an application or the like) used by themain body apparatus 2, and/or a program (e.g., a program for anapplication or the like) executed by the main body apparatus 2.

Further, in the housing 11, an inlet hole 11 d is formed. As shown inFIG. 3, the inlet hole 11 d is formed on the lower side surface of thehousing 11. The inlet hole 11 d is formed to take (in other words,introduce) air outside the housing 11 into the housing 11. In theexemplary embodiment, the inlet hole 11 d is formed on the surfaceopposite to the surface on which the exhaust hole 11 c is formed. Thus,it is possible to efficiently release heat within the housing 11.

The shapes, the numbers, and the installation positions of the abovecomponents (specifically, the buttons, the slots, the terminals, and thelike) provided in the housing 11 are optional. For example, in anotherexemplary embodiment, some of the power button 28 and the slots 23 and24 may be provided on another side surface or a back surface of thehousing 11. Alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment, the mainbody apparatus 2 may be configured not to include some of the abovecomponents.

FIG. 4 is six orthogonal views showing an example of the left controller3. As shown in FIG. 4, the left controller 3 includes a housing 31. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the housing 31 is generally plate-shaped.Further, a main surface of the housing 31 (in other words, a surface ona front side, i.e., a surface further in a negative z-axis directionshown in FIG. 1) has a roughly rectangular shape. Further, in theexemplary embodiment, the housing 31 is shaped to be vertically long,i.e., shaped to be long in the up-down direction (i.e., the y-axisdirection shown in FIG. 1). In the state where the left controller 3 isdetached from the main body apparatus 2, the left controller 3 can alsobe held in the orientation in which the left controller 3 is verticallylong. The housing 31 has such a shape and size that, in a case where thehousing 31 is held in the orientation in which the housing 31 isvertically long, the housing 31 can be held with one hand, particularlythe left hand. Further, the left controller 3 can also be held in theorientation in which the left controller 3 is horizontally long. In acase where the left controller 3 is held in the orientation in which theleft controller 3 is horizontally long, the left controller 3 may beheld with both hands. It should be noted that the housing 31 has anyshape. In another exemplary embodiment, the housing 31 may not begenerally plate-shaped. Further, the housing 31 may not have arectangular shape, and may have, for example, a semicircular shape orthe like. Further, the housing 31 may not be shaped to be verticallylong.

The length in the up-down direction of the housing 31 is almost the sameas the length in the up-down direction of the housing 11 of the mainbody apparatus 2. Further, the thickness (i.e., the length in thefront-back direction, in other words, the length in the z-axis directionshown in FIG. 1) of the housing 31 is almost the same as the thicknessof the housing 11 of the main body apparatus 2. Thus, in a case wherethe left controller 3 is attached to the main body apparatus 2 (see FIG.1), the user can hold the main body apparatus 2 and the left controller3 with the feeling that the user holds an integrated apparatus.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the main surface of the housing 31 is soshaped that left corner portions are more rounded than right cornerportions in the main surface. That is, a connection portion between anupper side surface and a left side surface of the housing 31 and aconnection portion between a lower side surface and the left sidesurface of the housing 31 are rounder (in other words, have greaterroundness in chamfering) than a connection portion between the upperside surface and a right side surface of the housing 31 and a connectionportion between the lower side surface and the right side surface of thehousing 31. Thus, in a case where the left controller 3 is attached tothe main body apparatus 2 (see FIG. 1), the information processingsystem 1 as the integrated apparatus has a rounded shape on its leftside. This shape makes it easy for the user to hold the informationprocessing system 1.

The left controller 3 includes an analog stick 32. As shown in FIG. 4,the analog stick 32 is provided on the main surface of the housing 31.The analog stick 32 is an example of a direction input section withwhich a direction can be input. The analog stick 32 includes a stickmember that can be tilted in all directions parallel to the main surfaceof the housing 31 (i.e., 360° directions including up, down, left,right, and oblique directions). The user tilts the stick member andthereby can input a direction corresponding to the direction of the tilt(and input a magnitude corresponding to the angle of the tilt). Itshould be noted that the direction input section may be a directionalpad, a slide stick, or the like. Further, in the exemplary embodiment,it is possible to provide an input by pressing the stick member (in adirection perpendicular to the housing 31). That is, the analog stick 32is an input section with which a direction and a magnitude correspondingto the direction of tilt and the amount of tilt of the stick member canbe input, and an input can be provided by pressing the stick member.

The left controller 3 includes four operation buttons 33 to 36(specifically, a right direction button 33, a down direction button 34,an up direction button 35, and a left direction button 36). As shown inFIG. 4, the four operation buttons 33 to 36 are provided below theanalog stick 32 on the main surface of the housing 31. It should benoted that in the exemplary embodiment, four operation buttons areprovided on the main surface of the left controller 3. The number ofoperation buttons, however, is optional. The operation buttons 33 to 36are used to give instructions corresponding to various programs (e.g.,an OS program and an application program) executed by the main bodyapparatus 2. It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment, sincethe operation buttons 33 to 36 can be used to input directions, theoperation buttons 33 to 36 are termed the right direction button 33, thedown direction button 34, the up direction button 35, and the leftdirection button 36. Alternatively, the operation buttons 33 to 36 maybe used to give instructions other than inputting directions.

Further, the left controller 3 includes a “−” (minus) button 47. Asshown in FIG. 4, the “−” button 47 is provided on the main surface ofthe housing 31, and more specifically, is provided in an upper rightarea on the main surface. The “−” button 47 is used to give instructionscorresponding to various programs (e.g., an OS program and anapplication program) executed by the main body apparatus 2. The “−”button 47 is, for example, used as a select button in a game application(e.g., a button used to switch a selection item).

In a case where the left controller 3 is attached to the main bodyapparatus 2, operation sections (specifically, the analog stick 32 andthe buttons 33 to 36 and 47) provided on the main surface of the leftcontroller 3 are operated with, for example, the thumb of the left handof the user holding the information processing system 1 as theintegrated apparatus. Further, in a case where the left controller 3 isused while being held in a horizontal orientation with both hands in thestate where the left controller 3 is detached from the main bodyapparatus 2, the above operation sections are operated with, forexample, the thumbs of the left and right hands of the user holding theleft controller 3. Specifically, in this case, the analog stick 32 isoperated with the thumb of the left hand of the user, and the operationbuttons 33 to 36 are operated with the thumb of the right hand of theuser.

The left controller 3 includes a first L-button 38. Further, the leftcontroller 3 includes a ZL-button 39. Similarly to the operation buttons33 to 36, these operation buttons 38 and 39 are used to giveinstructions corresponding to various programs executed by the main bodyapparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the first L-button 38 is provided in anupper left portion on the side surface of the housing 31. Further, theZL-button 39 is provided in an upper left portion from the side surfaceto a back surface of the housing 31 (to be exact, an upper left portionwhen the housing 31 is viewed from its front side). That is, theZL-button 39 is provided on the back side of the first L-button 38(further in a positive z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1). In theexemplary embodiment, since an upper left portion of the housing 31 hasa rounded shape, the first L-button 38 and the ZL-button 39 have roundedshapes corresponding to the roundness of the upper left portion of thehousing 31. In a case where the left controller 3 is attached to themain body apparatus 2, the first L-button 38 and the ZL-button 39 areplaced in an upper left portion of the information processing system 1as the integrated apparatus.

The left controller 3 includes the slider 40 described above. As shownin FIG. 4, the slider 40 is provided so as to extend in the up-downdirection on the right side surface of the housing 31. The slider 40 isshaped so as to be engaged with the left rail member 15 of the main bodyapparatus 2 (more specifically, grooves in the left rail member 15).Thus, the slider 40 engaged with the left rail member 15 is fixed so asnot to be detached in a direction perpendicular to the slide direction(in other words, the direction in which the left rail member 15extends).

Further, the left controller 3 includes the terminal 42 for the leftcontroller 3 to wirelessly communicate with the main body apparatus 2.The terminal 42 is provided at the position where, in a case where theleft controller 3 is attached to the main body apparatus 2, the terminal42 comes into contact with the left terminal 17 of the main bodyapparatus 2 (FIG. 3). The specific position of the terminal 42 isoptional. In the exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the terminal42 is provided on an attachment surface of the slider 40. Further, inthe exemplary embodiment, the terminal 42 is provided near a lower endportion on the attachment surface of the slider 40.

FIG. 5 is six orthogonal views showing an example of the rightcontroller 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the right controller 4 includes ahousing 51. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 51 is generallyplate-shaped. Further, a main surface of the housing 51 (in other words,a surface on a front side, i.e., a surface further in the negativez-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) has a roughly rectangular shape.Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the housing 51 is shaped to bevertically long, i.e., shaped to be long in the up-down direction. Inthe state where the right controller 4 is detached from the main bodyapparatus 2, the right controller 4 can also be held in the orientationin which the right controller 4 is vertically long. The housing 51 hassuch a shape and size that, in a case where the housing 51 is held inthe orientation in which the housing 51 is vertically long, the housing51 can be held with one hand, particularly the right hand. Further, theright controller 4 can also be held in the orientation in which theright controller 4 is horizontally long. In a case where the rightcontroller 4 is held in the orientation in which the right controller 4is horizontally long, the right controller 4 may be held with bothhands.

Similarly to the housing 31 of the left controller 3, the length in theup-down direction of the housing 51 of the right controller 4 is almostthe same as the length in the up-down direction of the housing 11 of themain body apparatus 2, and the thickness of the housing 51 is almost thesame as the thickness of the housing 11 of the main body apparatus 2.Thus, in a case where the right controller 4 is attached to the mainbody apparatus 2 (see FIG. 1), the user can hold the main body apparatus2 and the right controller 4 with the feeling that the user holds anintegrated apparatus.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the main surface of the housing 51 is soshaped that right corner portions are more rounded than left cornerportions in the main surface. That is, a connection portion between anupper side surface and a right side surface of the housing 51 and aconnection portion between a lower side surface and the right sidesurface of the housing 51 are rounder (in other words, have greaterroundness in chamfering) than a connection portion between the upperside surface and a left side surface of the housing 51 and a connectionportion between the lower side surface and the left side surface of thehousing 51. Thus, in a case where the right controller 4 is attached tothe main body apparatus 2 (see FIG. 1), the information processingsystem 1 as the integrated apparatus has a rounded shape on its rightside. This shape makes it easy for the user to hold the informationprocessing system 1.

Similarly to the left controller 3, the right controller 4 includes ananalog stick 52 as a direction input section. In the exemplaryembodiment, the analog stick 52 has the same configuration as that ofthe analog stick 32 of the left controller 3. Further, similarly to theleft controller 3, the right controller 4 includes four operationbuttons 53 to 56 (specifically, an A-button 53, a B-button 54, anX-button 55, and a Y-button 56). In the exemplary embodiment, the fouroperation buttons 53 to 56 have the same mechanisms as those of the fouroperation buttons 33 to 36 of the left controller 3. As shown in FIG. 5,the analog stick 52 and the operation buttons 53 to 56 are provided onthe main surface of the housing 51. It should be noted that in theexemplary embodiment, four operation buttons are provided on the mainsurface of the right controller 4. The number of operation buttons,however, is optional.

Here, in the exemplary embodiment, the positional relationship betweenthe two types of operation sections (the analog stick and the operationbuttons) of the right controller 4 is opposite to the positionalrelationship between these two types of operation sections of the leftcontroller 3. That is, in the right controller 4, the analog stick 52 isplaced below the operation buttons 53 to 56, whereas in the leftcontroller 3, the analog stick 32 is placed above the operation buttons33 to 36. With such placement, in a case where the left controller 3 andthe right controller 4 are used by being detached from the main bodyapparatus 2, it is possible to use the left controller 3 and the rightcontroller 4 with similar operation feelings.

Further, the right controller 4 includes a “+” (plus) button 57. Asshown in FIG. 5, the “+” button 57 is provided on the main surface ofthe housing 51, and more specifically, is provided in an upper left areaon the main surface. Similarly to the other operation buttons 53 to 56,the “+” button 57 is used to give instructions corresponding to variousprograms (e.g., an OS program and an application program) executed bythe main body apparatus 2. The “+” button 57 is, for example, used as astart button in a game application (e.g., a button used to give aninstruction to start a game).

The right controller 4 includes a home button 58. As shown in FIG. 5,the home button 58 is provided on the main surface of the housing 51,and more specifically, is provided in a lower left area on the mainsurface. The home button 58 is a button for displaying a predeterminedmenu screen on the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2. The menuscreen is, for example, a screen on which an application specified bythe user from among one or more applications that can be executed by themain body apparatus 2 can be started. The menu screen may be displayed,for example, when the main body apparatus 2 is started. In the exemplaryembodiment, if the home button 58 is pressed in the state where anapplication is executed by the main body apparatus 2 (i.e., in the statewhere an image of the application is displayed on the display 12), apredetermined operation screen may be displayed on the display 12 (atthis time, the menu screen may be displayed instead of the operationscreen). It should be noted that the operation screen is, for example, ascreen on which an instruction to end the application and display themenu screen on the display 12, an instruction to resume the application,and the like can be given.

In a case where the right controller 4 is attached to the main bodyapparatus 2, operation sections (specifically, the analog stick 52 andthe buttons 53 to 58) provided on the main surface of the rightcontroller 4 are operated with, for example, the thumb of the right handof the user holding the information processing system 1. Further, in acase where the right controller 4 is used while being held in ahorizontal orientation with both hands in the state where the rightcontroller 4 is detached from the main body apparatus 2, the aboveoperation sections are operated with, for example, the thumbs of theleft and right hands of the user holding the right controller 4.Specifically, In this case, the analog stick 52 is operated with thethumb of the left hand of the user, and the operation buttons 53 to 56are operated with the thumb of the right hand of the user.

The right controller 4 includes a first R-button 60. Further, the rightcontroller 4 includes a ZR-button 61. As shown in FIG. 5, the firstR-button 60 is provided in an upper right portion on the side surface ofthe housing 51. Further, the ZR-button 61 is provided in an upper rightportion from the side surface to a back surface of the housing 51 (to beexact, an upper right portion when the housing 51 is viewed from itsfront side). That is, the ZR-button 61 is provided on the back side ofthe first R-button 60 (further in the positive z-axis direction shown inFIG. 1). In the exemplary embodiment, since an upper right portion ofthe housing 51 has a rounded shape, the first R-button 60 and theZR-button 61 have rounded shapes corresponding to the roundness of theupper right portion of the housing 51. In a case where the rightcontroller 4 is attached to the main body apparatus 2, the firstR-button 60 and the ZR-button 61 are placed in an upper right portion ofthe information processing system 1.

The right controller 4 includes a slider mechanism similar to that ofthe left controller 3. That is, the right controller 4 includes theslider 62 described above. As shown in FIG. 5, the slider 62 is providedso as to extend in the up-down direction on the left side surface of thehousing 51. The slider 62 is shaped so as to be engaged with the rightrail member 19 of the main body apparatus 2 (more specifically, groovesin the right rail member 19). Thus, the slider 62 engaged with the rightrail member 19 is fixed so as not to be detached in a directionperpendicular to the slide direction (in other words, the direction inwhich the right rail member 19 extends).

Further, the right controller 4 includes the terminal 64 for the rightcontroller 4 to wirelessly communicate with the main body apparatus 2.The terminal 64 is provided at the position where, in a case where theright controller 4 is attached to the main body apparatus 2, theterminal 64 comes into contact with the right terminal 21 of the mainbody apparatus 2 (FIG. 3). The specific position of the terminal 64 isoptional. In the exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the terminal64 is provided on an attachment surface of the slider 62. In theexemplary embodiment, the terminal 64 is provided near a lower endportion on the attachment surface of the slider 62.

It should be noted that the shapes, the numbers, and the installationpositions of the above components (specifically, the sliders, thesticks, the buttons, and the like) provided in the housings 31 and 51 ofthe left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are optional. Forexample, in another exemplary embodiment, the left controller 3 and theright controller 4 may each include a direction input section of a typedifferent from that of an analog stick. Further, the slider 40 or 62 maybe placed at a position corresponding to the position of the rail member15 or 19 provided on the main body apparatus 2, and for example, may beplaced on the main surface or the back surface of the housing 31 or 51.Further, in another exemplary embodiment, the left controller 3 and theright controller 4 may be configured not to include some of the abovecomponents.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of another exampleof the information processing system according to the exemplaryembodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, as an example, the integrated apparatusobtained by attaching the left controller 3 and the right controller 4to the main body apparatus 2 can be mounted on the cradle 5. Further, asyet another example, only the main body apparatus 2 can also be mountedon the cradle 5 in the state where the left controller 3 and the rightcontroller 4 are detached from the main body apparatus 2. Further, thecradle 5 can communicate (through wired communication or wirelesscommunication) with a stationary monitor 6 (e.g., a stationarytelevision), which is an example of an external display apparatusseparate from the display 12. Although the details will be describedlater, in a case where the above integrated apparatus or the main bodyapparatus 2 alone is mounted on the cradle 5, the information processingsystem can display on the stationary monitor 6 an image acquired orgenerated by the main body apparatus 2. Further, in the exemplaryembodiment, the cradle 5 has the function of charging the aboveintegrated apparatus or the main body apparatus 2 alone mounted thereon.Further, the cradle 5 has the function of a hub apparatus (specifically,a USB hub).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration ofthe cradle 5. The cradle 5 includes a housing on which the main bodyapparatus 2 can be detachably mounted (or attached). In the exemplaryembodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the housing includes a first supportingportion 71, in which a groove 71 a is formed, and a generally planarsecond supporting portion 72.

As shown in FIG. 7, the groove 71 a formed in the first supportingportion 71 has a shape corresponding to the shape of a lower portion ofthe above integrated apparatus. Specifically, the groove 71 a is soshaped that the lower portion of the above integrated apparatus can beinserted into the groove 71 a, and more specifically, is so shaped as toapproximately coincide with the lower portion of the main body apparatus2. Thus, the lower portion of the above integrated apparatus is insertedinto the groove 71 a, whereby it is possible to mount the aboveintegrated apparatus on the cradle 5. Further, the second supportingportion 72 supports a front surface of the above integrated apparatus(i.e., the surface on which the display 12 is provided) of which thelower portion is inserted into the groove 71 a. With the secondsupporting portion 72, the cradle 5 can support the above integratedapparatus more stably. It should be noted that the shape of the housingshown in FIG. 7 is merely illustrative. Alternatively, in anotherexemplary embodiment, the housing of the cradle 5 may have any shapethat allows the main body apparatus 2 to be mounted on the housing.

As shown in FIG. 7, further, the cradle 5 includes a main body terminal73 for the cradle 5 to communicate with the above integrated apparatus.As shown in FIG. 7, the main body terminal 73 is provided on a bottomsurface of the groove 71 a, which is formed in the first supportingportion 71. More specifically, the main body terminal 73 is provided atthe position where, in a case where the above integrated apparatus isattached to the cradle 5, the lower terminal 27 of the main bodyapparatus 2 comes into contact with the main body terminal 73. In theexemplary embodiment, the main body terminal 73 is a USB connector (morespecifically, a male connector). It should be noted that in theexemplary embodiment, the above integrated apparatus can be attached tothe cradle 5 even if the above integrated apparatus is placed face up orface down. Thus, the lower terminal 27 of the main body apparatus 2 andthe main body terminal 73 of the cradle 5 have symmetrical shapes in thedepth direction (i.e., the z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1). The lowerterminal 27 and the main body terminal 73 can communicate with eachother even if these terminals are connected in either of the two typesof orientations in the depth direction.

Although not shown in FIG. 7, the cradle 5 includes a terminal (includesa plurality of terminals, specifically, a monitor terminal 132, a powersupply terminal 134, and extension terminals 137, which are shown inFIG. 10 in the exemplary embodiment) on a back surface of the housing.The details of these terminals will be described later.

The shapes, the numbers, and the installation positions of the abovecomponents (specifically, the housing, the terminals, the buttons, andthe like) provided in the cradle 5 are optional. For example, in anotherexemplary embodiment, the housing may have another shape with which theintegrated apparatus obtained by attaching the left controller 3 and theright controller 4 to the main body apparatus 2, or the main bodyapparatus 2 alone can be supported. Further, some of the terminalsprovided in the housing may be provided on a front surface of thehousing. Alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment, the cradle 5may be configured not to include some of the above components.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the internalconfiguration of the main body apparatus 2. The main body apparatus 2includes components 81 to 98 shown in FIG. 8 in addition to thecomponents shown in FIG. 3. Some of the components 81 to 98 may bemounted as electronic components on an electronic circuit board andaccommodated in the housing 11.

The main body apparatus 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81.The CPU 81 is an information processing section for executing varioustypes of information processing to be executed by the main bodyapparatus 2. The CPU 81 executes an information processing programstored in a storage section (specifically, an internal storage mediumsuch as a flash memory 84, an external storage medium attached to eachof the slots 23 and 24, or the like), thereby performing various typesof information processing.

The main body apparatus 2 includes the flash memory 84 and a DRAM(Dynamic Random Access Memory) 85 as examples of an internal storagemedium built into the main body apparatus 2. The flash memory 84 and theDRAM 85 are connected to the CPU 81. The flash memory 84 is a memorymainly used to store various pieces of data (or programs) to be saved inthe main body apparatus 2. The DRAM 85 is a memory used to temporarilystore various pieces of data used for information processing.

The main body apparatus 2 includes a first slot interface (hereinafterabbreviated as “I/F”) 91. Further, the main body apparatus 2 includes asecond slot I/F 92. The first slot I/F 91 and the second slot I/F 92 areconnected to the CPU 81. The first slot I/F 91 is connected to the firstslot 23, and in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 81, readsand writes data from and to the first type storage medium (e.g., an SDcard) attached to the first slot 23. The second slot I/F 92 is connectedto the second slot 24, and in accordance with an instruction from theCPU 81, reads and writes data from and to the second type storage medium(e.g., a dedicated memory card) attached to the second slot 24.

The CPU 81 appropriately reads and writes data from and to the flashmemory 84, the DRAM 85, and each of the above storage media, therebyperforming the above information processing.

The main body apparatus 2 includes a network communication section 82.The network communication section 82 is connected to the CPU 81. Thenetwork communication section 82 communicates (specifically, throughwireless communication) with an external apparatus via a network. In theexemplary embodiment, as a first communication form, the networkcommunication section 82 connects to a wireless LAN using a methodcompliant with the Wi-Fi standard and communicates with an externalapparatus. Further, as a second communication form, the networkcommunication section 82 wirelessly communicates with another main bodyapparatus 2 of the same type, using a predetermined communication method(e.g., communication based on a unique protocol or infrared lightcommunication). It should be noted that the wireless communication inthe above second communication form achieves the function of enablingso-called “local communication” in which the main body apparatus 2 canwirelessly communicate with another main body apparatus 2 placed in aclosed local network area, and the plurality of main body apparatuses 2directly communicate with each other to transmit and receive data.

The main body apparatus 2 includes a controller communication section83. The controller communication section 83 is connected to the CPU 81.The controller communication section 83 wirelessly communicates with theleft controller 3 and/or the right controller 4. The communicationmethod between the main body apparatus 2 and the left controller 3 andthe right controller 4 is optional. In the exemplary embodiment, thecontroller communication section 83 performs communication compliantwith the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard with the leftcontroller 3 and the right controller 4.

The CPU 81 is connected to the left terminal 17, the right terminal 21,and the lower terminal 27. When wirelessly communicating with the leftcontroller 3, the CPU 81 transmits data to the left controller 3 via theleft terminal 17 and also receives operation data from the leftcontroller 3 via the left terminal 17. Further, when wirelesslycommunicating with the right controller 4, the CPU 81 transmits data tothe right controller 4 via the right terminal 21 and also receivesoperation data from the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21.Further, when communicating with the cradle 5, the CPU 81 transmits datato the cradle 5 via the lower terminal 27. As described above, in theexemplary embodiment, the main body apparatus 2 can perform both wiredcommunication and wireless communication with each of the leftcontroller 3 and the right controller 4. Further, in a case where theintegrated apparatus obtained by attaching the left controller 3 and theright controller 4 to the main body apparatus 2 is attached to thecradle 5, the main body apparatus 2 can output data (e.g., image data orsound data) to the stationary monitor 6 via the cradle 5.

Here, the main body apparatus 2 can communicate with a plurality of leftcontrollers 3 simultaneously (in other words, in parallel). Further, themain body apparatus 2 can communicate with a plurality of rightcontrollers 4 simultaneously (in other words, in parallel). Thus, theuser can provide inputs to the main body apparatus 2 using the pluralityof left controllers 3 and the plurality of right controllers 4.

The main body apparatus 2 includes a touch panel controller 86, which isa circuit for controlling the touch panel 13. The touch panel controller86 is connected between the touch panel 13 and the CPU 81. Based on asignal from the touch panel 13, the touch panel controller 86 generates,for example, data indicating the position where a touch input isprovided. Then, the touch panel controller 86 outputs the data to theCPU 81.

Further, the display 12 is connected to the CPU 81. The CPU 81 displayson the display 12 a generated image (e.g., an image generated byexecuting the above information processing) and/or an externallyacquired image.

The main body apparatus 2 includes a codec circuit 87 and theloudspeakers (specifically, a left loudspeaker and a right loudspeaker)88. The codec circuit 87 is connected to the loudspeakers 88 and thesound input/output terminal 25 and also connected to the CPU 81. Thecodec circuit 87 is a circuit for controlling the input and output ofsound data to and from the loudspeakers 88 and the sound input/outputterminal 25. That is, if receiving sound data from the CPU 81, the codeccircuit 87 outputs sound signals obtained by performing D/A conversionon the sound data to the loudspeakers 88 or the sound input/outputterminal 25. Consequently, sounds are output from the loudspeakers 88 ora sound output section (e.g., earphones) connected to the soundinput/output terminal 25. Further, if receiving a sound signal from thesound input/output terminal 25, the codec circuit 87 performs A/Dconversion on the sound signal and outputs sound data in a predeterminedformat to the CPU 81. Further, the sound volume buttons 26 are connectedto the CPU 81. Based on an input to the sound volume buttons 26, the CPU81 controls the volume of sounds output from the loudspeakers 88 or thesound output section.

The main body apparatus 2 includes a power control section 97 and abattery 98. The power control section 97 is connected to the battery 98and the CPU 81. Further, although not shown in FIG. 8, the power controlsection 97 is connected to components of the main body apparatus 2(specifically, components that receive power supplied from the battery98, the left terminal 17, and the right terminal 21). Based on a commandfrom the CPU 81, the power control section 97 controls the supply ofpower from the battery 98 to the above components. Further, the powercontrol section 97 is connected to the power button 28. Based on aninput to the power button 28, the power control section 97 controls thesupply of power to the above components. That is, in a case where theoperation of turning off power supply is performed on the power button28, the power control section 97 stops the supply of power to all orsome of the above components. In a case where the operation of turningon power supply is performed on the power button 28, the power controlsection 97 starts the supply of power to all or some of the abovecomponents. Further, the power control section 97 outputs, to the CPU81, information indicating an input to the power button 28(specifically, information indicating whether or not the power button 28is pressed).

Further, the battery 98 is connected to the lower terminal 27. In a casewhere an external charging apparatus (e.g., the cradle 5) is connectedto the lower terminal 27, and power is supplied to the main bodyapparatus 2 via the lower terminal 27, the battery 98 is charged withthe supplied power.

Further, the main body apparatus 2 includes a cooling fan 96 forreleasing heat inside the main body apparatus 2. The cooling fan 96operates to introduce air outside the housing 11 through the inlet hole11 d and also release air inside the housing 11 through the exhaust hole11 c, thereby releasing heat inside the housing 11. The cooling fan 96is connected to the CPU 81, and the operation of the cooling fan 96 iscontrolled by the CPU 81. Further, the main body apparatus 2 includes atemperature sensor 95, which detects the temperature inside the mainbody apparatus 2. The temperature sensor 95 is connected to the CPU 81,and the detection result by the temperature sensor 95 is output to theCPU 81. Based on the detection result by the temperature sensor 95, theCPU 81 controls the operation of the cooling fan 96.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the internalconfiguration of the information processing system 1. It should be notedthat the details of the internal configuration of the main bodyapparatus 2 in the information processing system 1 are shown in FIG. 8and therefore are omitted in FIG. 9.

The left controller 3 includes a communication control section 101,which communicates with the main body apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 9,the communication control section 101 is connected to componentsincluding the terminal 42. In the exemplary embodiment, thecommunication control section 101 can communicate with the main bodyapparatus 2 through both wired communication via the terminal 42 andwireless communication not via the terminal 42. The communicationcontrol section 101 controls the method for communication performed bythe left controller 3 with the main body apparatus 2. That is, in a casewhere the left controller 3 is attached to the main body apparatus 2,the communication control section 101 communicates with the main bodyapparatus 2 via the terminal 42. Further, in a case where the leftcontroller 3 is detached from the main body apparatus 2, thecommunication control section 101 wirelessly communicates with the mainbody apparatus 2 (specifically, the controller communication section83). The wireless communication between the communication controlsection 101 and the controller communication section 83 is performed inaccordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, forexample.

Further, the left controller 3 includes a memory 102 such as a flashmemory. The communication control section 101 includes, for example, amicrocomputer (or a microprocessor) and executes firmware stored in thememory 102, thereby performing various types of processing.

The left controller 3 includes buttons 103 (specifically, the buttons 33to 39, 43, and 44). Further, the left controller 3 includes the analogstick (“stick” in FIG. 9) 32. Each of the buttons 103 and the analogstick 32 outputs information regarding an operation performed on itselfto the communication control section 101 repeatedly at appropriatetiming.

The left controller 3 includes an acceleration sensor 104. In theexemplary embodiment, the acceleration sensor 104 detects the magnitudesof linear accelerations along predetermined three axial (e.g., the xyzaxes shown in FIG. 1) directions. It should be noted that theacceleration sensor 104 may detect an acceleration along one axialdirection or accelerations along two axial directions. Further, the leftcontroller 3 includes an angular velocity sensor 105. In the exemplaryembodiment, the angular velocity sensor 105 detects an angular velocityabout predetermined three axes (e.g., the xyz axes shown in FIG. 1). Itshould be noted that the angular velocity sensor 105 may detect anangular velocity about one axis or an angular velocity about two axes.Each of the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105is connected to the communication control section 101. Then, thedetection results by the acceleration sensor 104 and the angularvelocity sensor 105 are output to the communication control section 101repeatedly at appropriate timing.

The communication control section 101 acquires information regarding aninput (specifically, information regarding an operation or the detectionresult by the sensor) from each of input sections (specifically, thebuttons 103, the analog stick 32, and the sensors 104 and 105). Thecommunication control section 101 transmits, to the main body apparatus2, operation data including the acquired information (or informationobtained by performing predetermined processing on the acquiredinformation). It should be noted that the operation data is transmittedrepeatedly, once every predetermined time. It should be noted that theinterval at which information regarding an input is transmitted to themain body apparatus 2 may or may not be the same between the inputsections.

The above operation data is transmitted to the main body apparatus 2,whereby the main body apparatus 2 can obtain inputs provided to the leftcontroller 3. That is, the main body apparatus 2 can distinguishoperations on the buttons 103 and the analog stick 32 based on theoperation data. Further, the main body apparatus 2 can calculateinformation regarding the motion and/or the orientation of the leftcontroller 3 based on the operation data (specifically, the detectionresults by the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor105).

The left controller 3 includes a vibrator 107 for giving notification tothe user by a vibration. In the exemplary embodiment, the vibrator 107is controlled by a command from the main body apparatus 2. That is, ifreceiving the above command from the main body apparatus 2, thecommunication control section 101 drives the vibrator 107 in accordancewith the command. Here, the left controller 3 includes an amplifier 106.If receiving the above command, the communication control section 101outputs a control signal corresponding to the command to the amplifier106. The amplifier 106 amplifies the control signal from thecommunication control section 101, generates a driving signal fordriving the vibrator 107, and outputs the driving signal to the vibrator107. Consequently, the vibrator 107 operates.

The left controller 3 includes a power supply section 108. In theexemplary embodiment, the power supply section 108 includes a batteryand a power control circuit. Although not shown in FIG. 9, the powercontrol circuit is connected to the battery and also connected tocomponents of the left controller 3 (specifically, components thatreceive power supplied from the battery). The power control circuitcontrols the supply of power from the battery to the above components.Further, the battery is connected to the terminal 42. In the exemplaryembodiment, in a case where the left controller 3 is attached to themain body apparatus 2, the battery is charged via the terminal 42 withpower supplied from the main body apparatus 2 under a predeterminedcondition.

As shown in FIG. 9, the right controller 4 includes a communicationcontrol section 111, which communicates with the main body apparatus 2.Further, the right controller 4 includes a memory 112, which isconnected to the communication control section 111. The communicationcontrol section 111 is connected to components including the terminal64. The communication control section 111 and the memory 112 havefunctions similar to those of the communication control section 101 andthe memory 102, respectively, of the left controller 3. Thus, thecommunication control section 111 can communicate with the main bodyapparatus 2 through both wired communication via the terminal 64 andwireless communication not via the terminal 64 (specifically,communication compliant with the Bluetooth (registered trademark)standard). The communication control section 111 controls the method forcommunication performed by the right controller 4 with the main bodyapparatus 2.

The right controller 4 includes input sections (specifically, buttons113, the analog stick 52, an acceleration sensor 114, and an angularvelocity sensor 115) similar to the input sections of the leftcontroller 3. These input sections have functions similar to those ofthe input sections of the left controller 3 and operate similarly to theinput sections of the left controller 3.

Further, the right controller 4 includes a vibrator 117 and an amplifier116. The vibrator 117 and the amplifier 116 operate similarly to thevibrator 107 and the amplifier 106, respectively, of the left controller3. That is, in accordance with a command from the main body apparatus 2,the communication control section 111 causes the vibrator 117 tooperate, using the amplifier 116.

The right controller 4 includes a power supply section 118. The powersupply section 118 has a function similar to that of the power supplysection 108 of the left controller 3 and operates similarly to the powersupply section 108. That is, the power supply section 118 controls thesupply of power to components that receive power supplied from abattery. In a case where the right controller 4 is attached to the mainbody apparatus 2, the battery is charged via the terminal 64 with powersupplied from the main body apparatus 2 under a predetermined condition.

The right controller 4 includes a processing section 121. The processingsection 121 is connected to the communication control section 111 andalso connected to an NFC communication section 122. In accordance with acommand from the main body apparatus 2, the processing section 121performs the process of managing the NFC communication section 122. Forexample, in accordance with a command from the main body apparatus 2,the processing section 121 controls the operation of the NFCcommunication section 122. Further, the processing section 121 controlsthe start of the NFC communication section 122 or controls the operation(specifically, reading, writing, or the like) of the NFC communicationsection 122 performed on a communication partner (e.g., an NFC tag).Further, the processing section 121 receives, from the main bodyapparatus 2, information to be transmitted to the communication partnervia the communication control section 111 and passes the information tothe NFC communication section 122. Further, the processing section 121acquires, via the NFC communication section 122, information receivedfrom the communication partner and transmits the information to the mainbody apparatus 2 via the communication control section 111. Further, inaccordance with a command from the main body apparatus 2, the processingsection 121 performs the process of managing an infrared image capturingsection 123. For example, the processing section 121 causes the infraredimage capturing section 123 to perform an image capturing operation.Further, the processing section 121 acquires information based on animage capturing result (information of a captured image, informationcalculated from this information, or the like) and transmits theinformation to the main body apparatus 2 via the communication controlsection 111.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the internalconfiguration of the cradle 5. It should be noted that the details ofthe internal configuration of the main body apparatus 2 are shown inFIG. 8 and therefore are omitted in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cradle 5 includes a conversion section 131 anda monitor terminal 132. The conversion section 131 is connected to amain body terminal 73 and the monitor terminal 132. The conversionsection 131 converts the formats of signals of an image (or video) and asound received from the main body apparatus 2 into formats in which theimage and the sound are output to the stationary monitor 6. Here, in theexemplary embodiment, the main body apparatus 2 outputs signals of animage and a sound as display port signals (i.e., signals compliant withthe DisplayPort standard) to the cradle 5. Further, in the exemplaryembodiment, as the communication between the cradle 5 and the stationarymonitor 6, communication based on the HDMI (registered trademark)standard is used. That is, the monitor terminal 132 is an HDMI terminal,and the cradle 5 and the stationary monitor 6 are connected together byan HDMI cable. Then, the conversion section 131 converts the displayport signals (specifically, the signals representing the video and thesound) received from the main body apparatus 2 via the main bodyterminal 73 into HDMI signals. The converted HDMI signals are output tothe stationary monitor 6 via the monitor terminal 132.

The cradle 5 includes a power control section 133 and a power supplyterminal 134. The power supply terminal 134 is a terminal for connectinga charging apparatus (e.g., an AC adapter or the like) (not shown). Inthe exemplary embodiment, an AC adapter is connected to the power supplyterminal 134, and mains electricity is supplied to the cradle 5. In acase where the main body apparatus 2 is attached to the cradle 5, thepower control section 133 supplies power from the power supply terminal134 to the main body apparatus 2 via the main body terminal 73.Consequently, the battery 98 of the main body apparatus 2 is charged.

Further, the cradle 5 includes a connection processing section 136 andextension terminals 137. Each of the extension terminals 137 is aterminal for connecting to another apparatus. In the exemplaryembodiment, the cradle 5 includes a plurality of (more specifically,three) USB terminals as the extension terminals 137. The connectionprocessing section 136 is connected to the main body terminal 73 and theextension terminals 137. The connection processing section 136 has afunction as a USB hub and for example, manages the communication betweenan apparatus connected to each of the extension terminals 137 and themain body apparatus 2 connected to the main body terminal 73 (i.e.,transmits a signal from a certain apparatus to another apparatus byappropriately distributing the signal). As described above, in theexemplary embodiment, the information processing system 1 cancommunicate with another apparatus via the cradle 5. It should be notedthat the connection processing section 136 may be able to change thecommunication speed, or supply power to an apparatus connected to theextension terminal 137.

As describe above, in the information processing system 1 according tothe exemplary embodiment, the left controller 3 and the right controller4 are attachable to and detachable from the main body apparatus 2.Further, the integrated apparatus obtained by attaching the leftcontroller 3 and the right controller 4 to the main body apparatus 2 orthe main body apparatus 2 alone is attached to the cradle 5 and therebycan output an image (and a sound) to the stationary monitor 6. Thus, theinformation processing system 1 can be used in various use forms asdescribed below. A description is given below of the operation of theinformation processing system in main use forms in the state where theleft controller 3 and the right controller 4 are detached from the mainbody apparatus 2.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the informationprocessing system 1 can be used in the state where the left controller 3and the right controller 4 are detached from the main body apparatus 2(referred to as a “separate state”). As a form in a case where anoperation is performed on the same application (e.g., a gameapplication) using the information processing system 1 in the separatestate, at least the following two forms are possible. The two formsinclude a form in which a single user uses at least one of the leftcontroller 3 and the right controller 4, and a form in which two usersuse respective controllers.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the state where a single useruses the information processing system 1 by holding one (the rightcontroller 4 in FIG. 11) of the left controller 3 and the rightcontroller 4 in the separate state. As shown in FIG. 11, in the separatestate, the user can view an image displayed on the display 12 of themain body apparatus 2 while operating one of the left controller 3 andthe right controller 4 by holding it with both hands or one hand.

It should be noted that an operation on each controller used in anapplication may be any operation. For example, the user can performoperations on the operation sections (the operation buttons and theanalog stick) included in the controller. Further, in the exemplaryembodiment, based on the detection results by the acceleration sensorand/or the angular velocity sensor included in the controller, it ispossible to calculate information regarding the motion and/or theorientation of the controller. Thus, the information processing system 1can receive as an input the operation of moving the controller itself.The user can perform not only operations on the operation sectionsincluded in the controller, but also the operation of moving thecontroller itself. That is, in the exemplary embodiment, despite being amobile device, the information processing system 1 can provide the userwith the operation of moving a controller (without moving a display).Further, despite being a mobile device, the information processingsystem 1 can provide an information processing apparatus that can beoperated by the user at a place away from the display 12.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the state where two users usethe information processing system 1 by each holding a single controllerin the separate state. As shown in FIG. 12, in the separate state, twousers can perform operations. Specifically, one (referred to as a “firstuser”) of the users can perform an operation using the left controller3, and at the same time, the other user (referred to as a “second user”)can perform an operation using the right controller 4. For example,based on an operation on the left controller 3, the informationprocessing system 1 controls the action of a first object (e.g., aplayer character) in a virtual space, and based on an operation on theright controller 4, the information processing system 1 performsinformation processing for controlling the action of a second object inthe same virtual space. It should be noted that also in the form shownin FIG. 12, similarly to the form shown in FIG. 11, each of the firstuser and the second user can perform operations on the operationsections included in the controller and/or the operation of moving thecontroller itself

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the positional relationshipbetween the analog stick 52 and the operation buttons 53 to 56 in theright controller 4 is opposite to the positional relationship betweenthese two types of operation sections in the left controller 3 in a casewhere the right controller 4 is placed to be vertically long as in FIG.2. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, in a case where the two users hold theleft controller 3 and the right controller 4 in horizontally longorientations, the positional relationship between the two types ofoperation sections is the same between the two controllers. That is, inthe exemplary embodiment, the user can use the two types of operationsections in the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 detachedfrom the main body apparatus 2 in similar operation feelings. This canimprove the operability of the controllers.

Further, in the separate state, the four operation buttons 33 to 36 ofthe left controller 3 may be used as the same functions as those of thefour operation buttons 53 to 56 of the right controller 4 (in otherwords, may be used to give the same instructions). As an example, theright direction button 33 may be used as the same function as that ofthe Y-button 56. The down direction button 34 may be used as the samefunction as that of the X-button 55. The up direction button 35 may beused as the same function as that of the B-button 54. The left directionbutton 36 may be used as the same function as that of the A-button 53.As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the functions of theoperation buttons 33 to 36 may be changed between the attachment stateand the separate state. For what instruction each operation button isused may be freely determined depending on a program executed by themain body apparatus 2.

In FIG. 12, the information processing system 1 splits the display areaof the display 12 into two display areas. Then, the informationprocessing system 1 displays an image for the first user operating theleft controller 3 (e.g., an image including the first object) in one ofthe split display areas and displays an image for the second useroperating the right controller 4 (e.g., an image including the secondobject) in the other split display area. As described above, in theexemplary embodiment, in a case where a plurality of operators performoperations (e.g., multiplayer play) using a single informationprocessing system 1, the display area of the display 12 is split inaccordance with the number of the operators, and at least images for therespective operators are displayed. It should be noted that in a casewhere the images for the plurality of operators are displayed, thedisplay area itself of the display 12 does not need to be physicallyseparated. Further, it is not necessary to generate pieces of image datafor the plurality of respective operators, either. A single image (e.g.,a single game image) including images on which operations using aplurality of operation devices (the left controller 3 and the rightcontroller 4 in this case) are reflected may be generated by screensplitting, and the single image may be displayed in the display area ofthe display 12. At this time, the process of generating a single pieceof image data including a plurality of scenes by screen splitting, anddisplaying the single piece of image data in a single display sectionmay be performed.

In the separate state, the communication between the main body apparatus2 and the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 is performedthrough wireless communication. That is, when wireless communication isestablished (pairing is performed) between the main body apparatus 2 andthe left controller 3 and/or the right controller 4, the main bodyapparatus 2 receives operation data from the left controller 3 and/orthe right controller 4, and based on the received operation data(specifically, using the operation data as an input), performsinformation processing. It should be noted that in the exemplaryembodiment, in the case of wireless communication, the main bodyapparatus 2 distinguishes a plurality of controllers that arecommunication partners. That is, when wireless communication isestablished between the main body apparatus 2 and a plurality ofcontrollers, the main body apparatus 2 identifies which of thecontrollers received operation data is transmitted from. The method fordistinguishing the controllers will be described later.

As described above, in the use form shown in FIG. 12, the display 12 ofthe main body apparatus 2, which is a mobile apparatus, can be used bybeing split into display areas used by a plurality of respective users.Here, in a case where a display screen of a stationary display apparatusis split into display areas, and the display areas are used by aplurality of users, the place where images obtained by splitting thedisplay area of the display apparatus are displayed is limited to theinstallation location of the display apparatus because it is difficultto carry around the display apparatus. It is, however, easy to carryaround the main body apparatus 2. Thus, at a place desired by users, themain body apparatus 2 can display images obtained by splitting thedisplay area.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the main body apparatus2 can communicate with a plurality of left controllers 3. Further, themain body apparatus 2 can communicate with a plurality of rightcontrollers 4. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, it is possible tosimultaneously use three or more controllers. Further, in the exemplaryembodiment, the main body apparatus 2 is attached to the cradle 5 andthereby can output an image (and a sound) to the stationary monitor 6via the cradle 5. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a use formin a case where images are displayed on the stationary monitor 6 usingthree or more controllers. As shown in FIG. 13, the informationprocessing system according to the exemplary embodiment can use thestationary monitor 6 as a display apparatus (and a sound outputapparatus).

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a case where a total of fourcontrollers, namely two left controllers 3 a and 3 b and two rightcontrollers 4 a and 4 b, are used. It should be noted that here, thecontrollers are detached from main body apparatuses 2, and a main bodyapparatus 2 alone is mounted on the cradle 5. In a case where fourcontrollers are thus used, at least the form in which four users eachview an image displayed on the stationary monitor 6 using a singlecontroller is possible.

In the exemplary embodiment, in a case where the four controllers areprepared, four users, namely a first user, a second user, a third user,and a fourth user, can perform operations using the controllers.Specifically, the first user performs operations using the leftcontroller 3 a, and based on the operations on the left controller 3 a,information processing for controlling the action of a first object(e.g., a player character) in a virtual space is executed. The seconduser performs operations using the left controller 3 b, and based on theoperations on the left controller 3 b, information processing forcontrolling the action of a second object (e.g., a player character) inthe virtual space is executed. The third user performs operations usingthe right controller 4 a, and based on the operations on the rightcontroller 4 a, information processing for controlling the action of athird object (e.g., a player character) in the virtual space isexecuted. Then, the fourth user performs operations using the rightcontroller 4 b, and based on the operations on the right controller 4 b,information processing for controlling the operation of a fourth object(e.g., a player character) in the virtual space is executed. It shouldbe noted that also in the use form shown in FIG. 13, similarly to theuse forms shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, each user can perform operations onoperation sections included in the controller and/or the operation ofmoving the controller itself

In FIG. 13, the information processing system 1 splits the display areaof the stationary monitor 6 into four display areas (referred to as a“first display area” to a “fourth display area”). Then, the informationprocessing system 1 displays an image for the first user operating theleft controller 3 a (e.g., an image including the first object) in thesplit first display area, displays an image for the second useroperating the left controller 3 b (e.g., an image including the secondobject) in the split second display area, displays an image for thethird user operating the right controller 4 a (e.g., an image includingthe third object) in the split third display area, and displays an imagefor the fourth user operating the right controller 4 b (e.g., an imageincluding the fourth object) in the split fourth display area. Asdescribed above, in the exemplary embodiment, in a case where fouroperators perform operations (e.g., play by three or more players) usinga single information processing system 1, the display area of thestationary monitor 6 is split in accordance with the number of theoperators, and at least images for the respective operators aredisplayed. It should be noted that also in a case where three or moreoperators perform operations using a single information processingsystem 1, it is possible to split the display 12 of the main bodyapparatus 2 and display images. However, a display screen provided in amobile device is relatively small. Thus, in a case where the displayscreen is split into three or more areas, and screens for respectiveusers are displayed, it is possible that the screens for the respectiveusers are difficult to view. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, in acase where a display screen needs to be split into three or more areas,an operation using the stationary monitor 6, which has a relativelylarge display screen, is requested. That is, in the exemplaryembodiment, the number of users allowed to perform operations is limitedto two in an operation using the display 12 of the main body apparatus2, while three or more users can perform operations in an operationusing the stationary monitor 6 via the cradle 5. It should be noted thatalso in a case where the images for the plurality of operators aredisplayed, the display area itself of the stationary monitor 6 does notneed to be physically separated. Further, it is not necessary togenerate pieces of image data for the plurality of respective operators,either. A single image (e.g., a single game image) including images onwhich operations using a plurality of operation devices (the leftcontroller 3 a, the left controller 3 b, the right controller 4 a, andthe right controller 4 b in this case) are reflected may be generated byscreen splitting, and the single image may be displayed in the displayarea of the stationary monitor 6. At this time, the process ofgenerating a single piece of image data including a plurality of scenesby screen splitting, and displaying the single piece of image data in asingle display section may be performed.

It should be noted that in the example shown in FIG. 13, an example isused where the display area of the stationary monitor 6 is split intofour areas, and images for four users are displayed in the respectivesplit display areas. However, in a case where three users use thestationary monitor 6, the display area of the stationary monitor 6 maybe split into three areas, or may be split into four areas similarly tothe example in FIG. 13. In the second case, images for three users maybe displayed in three split display areas among the four split displayareas, and any image may be displayed in the remaining split displayarea. The shapes of the areas before or after the splitting areoptional. As an example, in a case where a rectangular display area issplit into four areas, the shape of each area after the splitting can bea rectangle similarly to the area before the splitting. Thus, not onlyin the case of four users but also in the case of three users, thedisplay area may be split into four areas. For five or more users, it ispossible to split the area into six areas, eight areas, or nine areas asexamples. As described above, even if the number of users differs, thesame number of display areas can be set. However, even if the samenumber of split display areas is set for a different number of users insome cases, at least it can be said that images to be used by aplurality of users based on split display areas are generated inaccordance with the number of users.

Further, the main body apparatus 2 wirelessly communicates with each ofthe four controllers, namely the left controllers 3 a and 3 b and theright controllers 4 a and 4 b. Here, in the exemplary embodiment, themain body apparatus 2 distinguishes the four controllers. That is, themain body apparatus 2 identifies which of the four controllers receivedoperation data is transmitted from. It should be noted that the methodfor distinguishing the controllers will be described later.

Next, a description is given of the flow of an operation in which thedisplay 12 of the main body apparatus 2 is switched to the displayscreen of the stationary monitor 6, and images are displayed. FIG. 14 isa diagram showing an example of the flow of an operation in a case wherethe display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 is switched to the displayscreen of the stationary monitor 6, and images are displayed. It shouldbe noted that the cradle 5 is connected to the stationary monitor 6 inadvance. Further, a charging apparatus (e.g., an AC adapter) (not shown)is connected to the power supply terminal 134 of the cradle 5, and poweris supplied to the cradle 5.

First, users use the information processing system 1 as a mobile device.That is, the users use the information processing system 1 in the statewhere the information processing system 1 is not attached to the cradle5 ((1) shown in FIG. 14). In this state, to switch to the form in whichthe users use the information processing system 1 as a stationarydevice, the users attach the main body apparatus 2 to the cradle 5 ((2)shown in FIG. 14). Consequently, the lower terminal 27 of the main bodyapparatus 2 and the main body terminal 73 of the cradle 5 are connectedtogether.

It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment, if detecting thatthe main body apparatus 2 is attached to the cradle 5, the main bodyapparatus 2 stops display on the display 12. As described above, in theexemplary embodiment, in the state where the main body apparatus 2 isattached to the cradle 5, the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 isnot used. It should be noted that in another exemplary embodiment, evenin the state where the main body apparatus 2 is attached to the cradle5, the main body apparatus 2 may display an image on the display 12. Inthe exemplary embodiment, if detecting that the main body apparatus 2 isdetached from the cradle 5, the main body apparatus 2 starts display onthe display 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, if detecting that the main body apparatus 2(or the integrated apparatus obtained by attaching the left controller 3and the right controller 4 to the main body apparatus 2) is attached tothe cradle 5, the cradle 5 starts charging the main body apparatus 2.That is, if the attachment of the main body apparatus 2 to the cradle 5is detected, the power control section 133 performs the operation ofsupplying power from the power supply terminal 134 to the main bodyapparatus 2. The power control section 133 starts this operation,whereby the cradle 5 starts charging the main body apparatus 2. That is,in the main body apparatus 2, the battery 98 is charged with powersupplied from the cradle 5 via the lower terminal 27. Further, in a casewhere the cradle 5 charges the main body apparatus 2, and in the statewhere controllers (specifically, the left controller 3 and/or the rightcontroller 4) are attached to the main body apparatus 2, the main bodyapparatus 2 charges the controllers attached to the main body apparatus2. That is, in the above case, the power control section 97 of the mainbody apparatus 2 supplies power supplied from the cradle 5 via the lowerterminal 27 to the controllers via the terminals (specifically, the leftterminal 17 and/or the right terminal 21) corresponding to thecontrollers attached to the main body apparatus 2. Consequently, thecontrollers are charged.

It should be noted that in another exemplary embodiment, the cradle 5may charge the main body apparatus 2 under a predetermined condition.For example, under the condition that the remaining life of the battery98 of the main body apparatus 2 attached to the cradle 5 is less than orequal to a predetermined amount, the power control section 133 of thecradle 5 may charge the main body apparatus 2. Similarly to this, themain body apparatus 2 may charge a controller under a predeterminedcondition. For example, under the condition that the remaining life ofthe battery of a controller attached to the main body apparatus 2 isless than or equal to a predetermined amount, the power control section97 of the main body apparatus 2 may charge the controller. Further, theabove operation regarding charging may be executed even in a case wherethe main body apparatus 2 is turned off.

If the main body apparatus 2 is attached to the cradle 5, the main bodyapparatus 2 outputs images (and sounds) to the stationary monitor 6 andcauses the stationary monitor 6 to output the images (and the sounds)((3) shown in FIG. 14). That is, under a predetermined condition, themain body apparatus 2 transmits, to the cradle 5, data of images andsounds to be output. It should be noted that in the exemplaryembodiment, “images and sounds to be output” are images and soundsgenerated by a program (e.g., an OS program or an application program)executed when the main body apparatus 2 is attached to the cradle 5. Forexample, in a case where a game application is executed at this time,the main body apparatus 2 outputs data of images and sounds generated bythe game application to the cradle 5.

If receiving the data of the images and the sounds from the main bodyapparatus 2, the cradle 5 transmits the data of the images and thesounds to the stationary monitor 6. Consequently, the above “images andsounds to be output” are output from the stationary monitor 6 ((3) shownin FIG. 14). In the state where the images and the sounds are outputfrom the stationary monitor 6, the users can perform operations usingcontrollers ((4) shown in FIG. 14).

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the main body apparatus2 is attached to the cradle 5 in the state where images are displayed onthe display 12 of the main body apparatus 2, whereby the displaydestination of the images can be switched from the display 12 to thestationary monitor 6. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the mainbody apparatus 2 is detached from the cradle 5 in the state where imagesare displayed on the stationary monitor 6, whereby the displaydestination of the image can be switched from the stationary monitor 6to the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2. That is, in theexemplary embodiment, the user can easily switch the display destinationonly by detaching or attaching the main body apparatus 2 from or to thecradle 5. Further, the user can seamlessly switch the displaydestination only by detaching or attaching the main body apparatus 2from or to the cradle 5.

Further, as described above, in the exemplary embodiment, it is possibleto use the information processing system 1 in the use form in whichimages are displayed on the display 12, and the use form in which imagesare displayed on the stationary monitor 6. Here, in the exemplaryembodiment, the information processing system 1 changes its operationmode in accordance with these two types of use forms. That is, theinformation processing system 1 can operate at least in two types ofmodes, namely a mobile mode for displaying images on the display 12 anda stationary mode for displaying images on the stationary monitor 6.

The mobile mode is a mode when the information processing system 1 isused as a mobile device. In the mobile mode, images generated by theinformation processing system 1 are displayed on the display 12.Further, sounds generated by the information processing system 1 areoutput from the loudspeakers 88. Further, in the mobile mode, thesettings of the information processing system 1 are changed as in thefollowing (a) and (b).

(a) Setting for Limiting the Processing Capability of the Main BodyApparatus 2

In the exemplary embodiment, the clock frequency at which the CPU 81 canoperate can be specified in a predetermined range based on a programexecuted by the main body apparatus 2. In the exemplary embodiment, therange of the clock frequency that can be specified by a program in themobile mode is more limited than the range of the clock frequency thatcan be specified in the stationary mode. For example, the range that canbe specified in the stationary mode is a range equal to or greater thanX1 Hz, whereas the range that can be specified in the mobile mode islimited to X2 (<X1) Hz. It should be noted that in a case where the mainbody apparatus 2 includes a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) in additionto the CPU 81, the ranges of the processing capabilities (i.e., theclock frequencies) of the CPU 81 and/or the GPU may be limited. Further,in the exemplary embodiment, in the mobile mode, the ability to draw (orthe ability to generate) an image is limited. Specifically, theresolution (in other words, the number of pixels) of an image generatedby the main body apparatus 2 in the mobile mode is lower than theresolution of an image generated in the stationary mode. By thelimitations in the above (a), the amount of processing performed by themain body apparatus 2 is limited in the mobile mode. Thus, it ispossible to reduce the power consumption in the main body apparatus 2.

(b) Setting for Limiting the Operation of the Cooling Fan 96

In the exemplary embodiment, in the mobile mode, the operation of thecooling fan 96 is limited. Specifically, in the mobile mode, the numberof rotations (in other words, the rotation speed) at which the coolingfan 96 can be driven is limited so as to be lower than the maximumnumber of rotations at which the cooling fan 96 can be driven in thestationary mode. For example, in the mobile mode, the cooling fan 96 isrestricted so as to operate at a predetermined number of rotationssmaller than the maximum number of rotations. By the limitation in theabove (b), it is possible to reduce the operating sound of the coolingfan 96. Here, in the mobile mode, it is assumed that the user uses themain body apparatus 2 near themselves. Regarding this, in the exemplaryembodiment, in the mobile mode, it is possible to reduce the operatingsound of the cooling fan 96. Thus, it is possible to reduce thepossibility that the user feels the operating sound loud.

On the other hand, the stationary mode is the mode when the informationprocessing system 1 is used as a stationary device. In the stationarymode, an image acquired or generated by the main body apparatus 2 isdisplayed on the stationary monitor 6. Further, a sound acquired orgenerated by the main body apparatus 2 is output from a loudspeakerincluded in the stationary monitor 6. Further, in the stationary mode,the restrictions on the functions in the mobile mode are cancelled. Thatis, in the stationary mode, the limitations in the above (a) and (b) arecancelled. Thus, in the stationary mode, a program in the main bodyapparatus 2 can use the processing capability of the CPU 81 in a higherrange. Further, the main body apparatus 2 can display an image having ahigher resolution than in the mobile mode on the stationary monitor 6.Further, the main body apparatus 2 can perform cooling using the coolingfan 96 more effectively than in the mobile mode.

In the exemplary embodiment, regarding switching between the mobile modeand the stationary mode, in a case where the main body apparatus 2 isattached to the cradle 5, the main body apparatus 2 sets the operationmode to the stationary mode. On the other hand, in a case where the mainbody apparatus 2 is detached from the cradle 5, the main body apparatus2 sets the operation mode to the mobile mode.

It should be noted that in another exemplary embodiment, the informationprocessing system 1 may be able to directly (i.e., not via the cradle 5)communicate with the stationary monitor 6. At this time, the informationprocessing system 1 may directly transmit an image and/or a sound to thestationary monitor 6. It should be noted that the communication methodbetween the information processing system 1 and the stationary monitor 6is optional. For example, wired communication via a cable (e.g., an HDMIcable) may be used. Alternatively, the communication method between theinformation processing system 1 and the stationary monitor 6 may bewireless communication. In a case where the information processingsystem 1 directly communicates with the stationary monitor 6, the cradle5 may be used to charge the information processing system 1, forexample.

Next, a description is given of the setting for the main body apparatus2 to wirelessly communicate with the left controller 3 and the rightcontroller 4. As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, there isa case where the main body apparatus 2 wirelessly communicates with theleft controller 3 and the right controller 4. Thus, in the exemplaryembodiment, the setting (or pairing) for the main body apparatus 2 towirelessly communicate with the left controller 3 and the rightcontroller 4 is made. It should be noted that in the controllersprovided (specifically, sold) together with the main body apparatus 2,the setting for wireless communication may be completed when thecontrollers are provided.

In the exemplary embodiment, the main body apparatus 2 performs awireless setting process for making the setting for wirelesscommunication with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. Asan example, the wireless setting process is executed in accordance withthe fact that the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 isdetached from the main body apparatus 2. That is, the main bodyapparatus 2 detects that the left controller 3 or the right controller 4is detached, and in accordance with the detection of the detachment(referred to as “separation”), starts executing the wireless settingprocess.

In the wireless setting process, if the setting for wirelesscommunication is not completed for the controller of which theseparation is detected, the CPU 81 executes a pairing process forenabling wireless communication with the controller. The pairing processin the exemplary embodiment may be similar to a pairing process in acommunication technique compliant with the conventional Bluetooth(registered trademark) standard. Consequently, pairing is performedbetween the main body apparatus 2 and the controller, and wirelesscommunication is established between the main body apparatus 2 and thecontroller.

Then, the CPU 81 updates registration information of the controller withwhich wireless communication is established. That is, the CPU 81 updatesidentification information allowing the unique identification of thecontroller (e.g., information indicating a value (e.g., an ID) uniquelyassigned to the controller) of which the separation is detected, alsoupdates wireless communication information to a content indicating“setting completion”, and stores the registration information of thecontroller in a storage section (e.g., the flash memory 84) of the mainbody apparatus 2.

It should be noted that in the information processing system 1, thecondition under which the wireless setting process is performed isoptional, and is not limited to the detachment of the controller fromthe main body apparatus 2. Alternatively, for example, in anotherexemplary embodiment, in accordance with the fact that the controller isattached to the main body apparatus 2, the wireless setting process maybe performed. Yet alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment, inaccordance with the fact that the user gives a predeterminedinstruction, the setting process may be performed. Specifically, thispredetermined instruction may be given by the user selecting apredetermined item displayed on the menu screen, or by the user pressinga predetermined button provided in the main body apparatus 2 or thecontroller.

Further, in the above use forms of the information processing system, adescription has been given of the form in which one or more usersperform operations using a single information processing system 1. Inthe exemplary embodiment, however, a plurality of information processingsystems in the above use forms are used, whereby it is possible toachieve a use form in which a larger number of users can participate. Asdescribed above, the information processing system 1 can performso-called “local communication”, in which the information processingsystem 1 can wirelessly communicate with another information processingsystem 1 placed in a closed local network area, and the plurality ofinformation processing systems 1 directly communicate with each other,thereby transmitting and receiving data to and from each other. Here,the “local communication” that can be performed between the informationprocessing system 1 and another information processing system 1 is adhoc communication, in which the information processing systems 1 arewirelessly connected to each other directly, not via the Internet. In ause form described below, an example is described where a plurality ofinformation processing systems 1 perform information processing (e.g., acommunication game) based on information transmitted and receivedthrough the local communication.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the state where a pluralityof information processing systems 1 perform information processing basedon information transmitted and received through local communication. Inthe example of FIG. 15, main body apparatuses 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c includedin the respective information processing systems 1 transmit and receiveinformation to and from each other through local communication, therebyperforming a communication game in a predetermined virtual space.

In the exemplary embodiment, the main body apparatus 2 a operates in themobile mode, and based on operation data from a single controller(specifically, a right controller 4 a) operated by a first user,controls a first virtual object placed in the virtual space in thecommunication game. Then, the main body apparatus 2 a transmitsinformation based on an operation using the right controller 4 a to eachof the other main body apparatuses 2 b and 2 c through localcommunication. Here, the information based on an operation using thecontroller may be operation information indicating an operation on thecontroller, or may be information regarding the virtual object or thevirtual space on which an operation on the controller is reflected. Theoperation information may include at least any one of, for example, keydata indicating an operation on each button, stick data indicating thetilt state of the stick, sensor data indicating the detection states ofthe sensors such as the acceleration sensor and the angular velocitysensor, and the like, or may be data indicating the results of makingpredetermined calculations on the above data. The information regardingthe virtual object or the virtual space may be, for example, object dataindicating the position, the direction, the action, the state, and thelike of the virtual object in the virtual space. Further, in theexemplary embodiment, since the main body apparatus 2 a is operated onlyby the first user, the controller may be in the state of being attachedto the main body apparatus 2 a.

The main body apparatus 2 b operates in the mobile mode, and based onoperation data from a single controller (specifically, a left controller3 b) operated by a second user, controls a second virtual object placedin the virtual space in the communication game. Further, based onoperation data from a single controller (specifically, a rightcontroller 4 b) operated by a third user, the main body apparatus 2 bcontrols a third virtual object placed in the virtual space in thecommunication game. Then, the main body apparatus 2 b transmitsinformation based on an operation using each of the left controller 3 band the right controller 4 b to each of the other main body apparatuses2 a and 2 c through local communication.

The main body apparatus 2 c operates in the stationary mode, and basedon operation data from a single controller (specifically, a leftcontroller 3 c) operated by a fourth user, controls a fourth virtualobject placed in the virtual space in the communication game. Further,based on operation data from a single controller (specifically, a rightcontroller 4 c) operated by a fifth user, the main body apparatus 2 ccontrols a fifth virtual object placed in the virtual space in thecommunication game. Then, the main body apparatus 2 c transmitsinformation based on an operation using each of the left controller 3 cand the right controller 4 c to each of the other main body apparatuses2 a and 2 b through local communication.

Based on operation data from the right controller 4 a operated by thefirst user and information received from each of the main bodyapparatuses 2 b and 2 c, the main body apparatus 2 a sets the first tofifth virtual objects in the virtual space. Then, the main bodyapparatus 2 a generates a virtual space image based on the first virtualobject controlled by an operation using the right controller 4 a (e.g.,an image including the first virtual object or an image from thefirst-person viewpoint of the first virtual object). It should be notedthat the main body apparatus 2 a operates in the mobile mode andtherefore displays the generated virtual space image on the display 12of the main body apparatus 2 a.

Based on operation data from the left controller 3 b operated by thesecond user, operation data from the right controller 4 b operated bythe third user, and information received from each of the main bodyapparatuses 2 a and 2 c, the main body apparatus 2 b sets the first tofifth virtual objects in the virtual space. Then, the main bodyapparatus 2 b generates a virtual space image based on the secondvirtual object controlled by an operation using the left controller 3 b(e.g., an image including the second virtual object or an image from thefirst-person viewpoint of the second virtual object), and a virtualspace image based on the third virtual object controlled by an operationusing the right controller 4 b (e.g., an image including the thirdvirtual object or an image from the first-person viewpoint of the thirdvirtual object). It should be noted that the main body apparatus 2 boperates in the mobile mode, and multiplayer (two-player) play isperformed using the left controller 3 b and the right controller 4 b.Thus, the main body apparatus 2 b displays a virtual space image of twoscenes generated by screen splitting on the display screen of thedisplay 12 of the main body apparatus 2 b.

Based on operation data from the left controller 3 c operated by thefourth user, operation data from the right controller 4 c operated bythe fifth user, and information received from each of the main bodyapparatuses 2 a and 2 b, the main body apparatus 2 c sets the first tofifth virtual objects in the virtual space. Then, the main bodyapparatus 2 c generates a virtual space image based on the fourthvirtual object controlled by an operation using the left controller 3 c(e.g., an image including the fourth virtual object or an image from thefirst-person viewpoint of the fourth virtual object), and a virtualspace image based on the fifth virtual object controlled by an operationusing the right controller 4 c (e.g., an image including the fifthvirtual object or an image from the first-person viewpoint of the fifthvirtual object). It should be noted that the main body apparatus 2 coperates in the stationary mode, and multiplayer (two-player) play isperformed using the left controller 3 c and the right controller 4 c.Thus, the main body apparatus 2 c displays a virtual space image of twoscenes generated by screen splitting on the display screen of thestationary monitor 6 connected to the cradle 5 on which the main bodyapparatus 2 c is mounted.

As described above, in the communication game performed using theplurality of information processing systems 1 shown in FIG. 15, mobileapparatuses operated by a plurality of users participate. Thus, forexample, five users can participate using three main body apparatuses 2.That is, even in a communication game using local communication betweeninformation processing systems 1 (main body apparatuses 2) that aremobile apparatuses, multiplayer play including players more than orequal to the number of the information processing systems 1 (the mainbody apparatuses 2) can be performed. In the above exemplary embodiment,an example has been described where a communication game is performedusing three main body apparatuses 2 such that each main body apparatus 2is used in a different manner. In another example, the number of mainbody apparatuses 2 is optional. Further, the number of controllersconnected to each main body apparatus 2 and the use form regarding whichof the mobile mode and the stationary mode is used or the like may beoptional. That is, although the number of participants is optional,users more than or equal to the number of main body apparatuses 2 canparticipate.

It should be noted that in the communication game performed using theplurality of information processing systems 1, limitations may be placedon the total number of game participants, the number of participants ineach apparatus, the number of game participating apparatuses, and thelike. These limitations can be appropriately set in accordance with thecontent of the game to be performed, the loads of game processing and acommunication process, and the like. As a first example, the upper limitof the number of information processing systems 1 allowed to participatein the communication game may be the same as the upper limit of thetotal number of game participants allowed to participate in thecommunication game. For example, the upper limit of the total number ofgame participants may be eight, and the upper limit of the number ofinformation processing systems 1 may be eight. As a second example, theupper limit of the total number of game participants allowed toparticipate in the communication game may be greater than the upperlimit of the number of information processing systems 1 allowed toparticipate in the communication game. For example, the upper limit ofthe total number of game participants may be 12, and the upper limit ofthe number of information processing systems 1 may be eight. As a thirdexample, the upper limit of the number of participants allowed toparticipate in each apparatus of the information processing systems 1participating in the communication game may be smaller (e.g., two orfour) than the upper limit of the total number of game participantsallowed to participate in the communication game. For example, the upperlimit of the total number of game participants may be eight, and thenumber of participants in each apparatus may be up to two or four.

Next, a description is given of an operation when a game in whichmultiplayer play can be performed using one or more informationprocessing systems 1 is performed. FIGS. 16 to 19 are diagrams showingexamples of the flow of an operation in each form in a case where a gamein which multiplayer play is performed using one or more informationprocessing systems 1 is performed. It should be noted that limitationson the number of players and the number of information processingsystems 1 in the game described in the following examples are asfollows. The upper limit of the total number of game participantsallowed to participate in the communication game is eight. The upperlimit of the number of information processing systems 1 allowed toparticipate in the communication game is eight (i.e., the upper limit ofthe total number of game participants is equal to the upper limit of thenumber of game participating apparatuses). The upper limit of the numberof participants in each apparatus participating in the communicationgame is two. Further, the upper limit of the total number of gameparticipants in a case where multiplayer play is performed using only asingle information processing system 1 is two in the mobile mode andfour in the stationary mode.

In FIG. 16, an information processing system 1 displays on a displayscreen (the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 in the case of themobile mode, or the display screen of the stationary monitor 6 in thecase of the stationary mode) a top menu regarding a game in whichmultiplayer play can be performed. Here, the top menu is a screen onwhich a user of the information processing system 1 selects whether toplay the above game by a single player or by a plurality of players.Here, a case is considered where multiplayer play (“play together” inFIG. 16) is selected in accordance with an operation of the user.

If the multiplayer play is selected, a play style selection screen isdisplayed on the display screen. Here, the play style selection screenis a screen for urging the user to perform the operation of selecting inwhich use form (play style) the multiplayer play is to be performed. Onthe play style selection screen, options different depending on theoperation mode (i.e., the mobile mode or the stationary mode) of theinformation processing system 1 are displayed. For example, if theinformation processing system 1 operates in the stationary mode, fourplay styles are presented as options. Specifically, in the case of thestationary mode, an icon for selecting a play style in which two playersplay using only the information processing system 1 (an icon at theupper left in a play style selection (stationary mode) diagram in FIG.16), an icon for selecting a play style in which three or more playersplay using only the information processing system 1 (an icon at theupper right in the play style selection (stationary mode) diagram inFIG. 16: an icon representing the state where four players are playingin this case), and an icon for selecting a play style in which theinformation processing system 1 is used by a single player whilecommunicating with other information processing systems 1 (an icon atthe lower left in the play style selection (stationary mode) diagram inFIG. 16), and an icon for selecting a play style in which theinformation processing system 1 is used by two players whilecommunicating with other information processing systems 1 (an icon atthe lower right in the play style selection (stationary mode) diagram inFIG. 16) are displayed. On the other hand, in the case of the mobilemode, an icon for selecting a play style in which two players play usingonly the information processing system 1 (an icon at the upper right ina play style selection (mobile mode) diagram in FIG. 16), an icon forselecting a play style in which the information processing system 1 isused by a single player while communicating with other informationprocessing systems 1 (an icon at the lower left in the play styleselection (mobile mode) diagram in FIG. 16), and an icon for selecting aplay style in which the information processing system 1 is used by twoplayers while communicating with other information processing systems 1(an icon at the lower right in the play style selection (mobile mode)diagram in FIG. 16) are displayed. Here, in the case of the mobile mode,an icon for selecting a play style in which three or more players playusing only the information processing system 1 (an icon at the upperright in the play style selection (mobile mode) diagram in FIG. 16) isdisplayed so as not to be selected. This is because in the case of themobile mode, the upper limit of the total number of game participants ina case where multiplayer play is performed using only the informationprocessing system 1 is two, and therefore, three or more players cannotplay using only the information processing system 1. Thus, the aboveicon is set so as not to be selected by the user. It should be notedthat although the form may be such that the above icon is not displayed,the above icon is displayed so as not to be selected, whereby it is easyfor the user to understand that play by three or more players using onlythe information processing system 1 cannot be selected.

If communication play (i.e., a play style in which the informationprocessing system 1 is used while communicating with other informationprocessing systems 1) is selected in the mobile mode or the stationarymode, a lobby selection screen is displayed on the display screen. Onthe lobby selection screen, user groups set at this time to perform thegame are indicated. As a specific example, the user names (a name A anda name M in FIG. 16) of users operating parent apparatuses for settinguser groups, the number of users participating in the user group of eachparent apparatus, and the number of users allowed to participate in theuser group are indicated. In the example of FIG. 16, in the user groupof the name A, four users participate, and four more users canparticipate. In the user group of the name M, two users participate, andsix more users can participate. The information processing system 1 onwhich the lobby selection screen is displayed performs the operation ofselecting a user group in which the user wishes to participate, andthereby can make a request to participate as a child apparatus in theselected user group. It should be noted that as shown in FIG. 16, evenif the information processing system 1 is operated by a plurality ofusers, the lobby selection screen is displayed without splitting thedisplay screen.

It should be noted that on the lobby selection screen, only a user groupto which a participation request can be made may be displayed, or a usergroup in which the user cannot participate may also be displayed.Examples of an assumed user group in which the user cannot participateinclude (i) a user group in which the upper limit of the total number ofgame participants allowed to participate in the communication game isreached, (ii) a user group in which the upper limit of the total numberof game participants allowed to participate in the communication game isexceeded if the participation request is accepted, (iii) a user groupthat has already started the communication game, and the like. In a casewhere a user group in which the user cannot participate is displayed, itmay be indicated that the user cannot select the user group, or when theuser group in which the user cannot participate is selected by the user,a notification is given that the user cannot participate. For example,in the cases of the above (i) and (ii), it is also possible that theinformation processing system 1 with which a participation request ismade determines whether or not a participation request can be made, andthe information processing system 1 gives a notification that the usercannot participate. Alternatively, it is possible that in accordancewith the fact that after a participation request is made to the parentapparatus, the information processing system 1 receives from the parentapparatus a reply that the user cannot participate, the informationprocessing system 1 gives a notification that the user cannotparticipate. Further in the case of (ii), it is possible that the resultof the determination differs depending on the number of users operatingthe information processing system 1. Specifically, in a case where thenumber of participants in the user group reaches seven, and if a singleuser operates the information processing system 1 with which aparticipation request is made, the user can participate. If, however,two users operate the information processing system 1 with which aparticipation request is made, these users cannot participate. In such acase, based on the selected play style, the information processingsystem 1 with which a participation request is made may determinewhether or not a participation request can be made. Alternatively, aparticipation request may be made to the parent apparatus by notifyingthe parent apparatus of the number of users making the participationrequest, and the parent apparatus may determine whether or not the userscan participate.

Further, on the lobby selection screen shown in FIG. 16, an indicator (afilled pattern) indicating the number of participants and an indicator(an outlined pattern) indicating the number of users allowed toparticipate are displayed in parallel in accordance with the number ofusers, thereby indicating the number of participants and the number ofusers allowed to participate with respect to each user group.Alternatively, the number of participants and/or the number of usersallowed to participate with respect to each user group may be indicatedin another form. For example, the number of participants and the numberof users allowed to participate with respect to each user group may besimply indicated by numerical values, or may be indicated by scales(graph display). Alternatively, only the number of participants withrespect to each user group or only the number of users allowed toparticipate may be indicated by a numerical value or an image.

On the lobby selection screen, the option of creating a user group bythe information processing system 1 to perform the above game (“creategroup”) is also indicated. In the information processing system 1 onwhich the lobby selection screen is displayed, the user performs theoperation of selecting the option of creating a user group, whereby theinformation processing system 1 as a parent apparatus can newly generatea user group.

In a case where the user selects a user group in which the user wishesto participate, and the user is permitted to participate in the usergroup, the information processing system 1 with which the participationrequest is made becomes a child apparatus, and the subsequent gameprocessing is advanced. In FIG. 17, on the display screen of theinformation processing system 1 permitted to participate in the usergroup, a child apparatus standby screen is displayed. On the childapparatus standby screen, the situation of the user group in which theinformation processing system 1 as a child apparatus participates isindicated. For example, on the child apparatus standby screen, the username (a name A in FIG. 17) of a user operating a parent apparatus of theuser group and the user names (names B to D, E1, and E2 in FIG. 17) ofusers operating child apparatuses of the user group are displayed. Here,the user name E1 and the user name E2 of child apparatuses displayed inFIG. 17 both indicate the user names of the information processingsystem 1 on which the child apparatus standby screen is displayed. Aplay style in which two players use the information processing system 1while communicating with other information processing systems 1 isselected, and therefore, two user names are registered as the user namesof the information processing system 1. As described above, in theexemplary embodiment, in a case where a child apparatus to participateis operated by a plurality of users, the child apparatus participates ina user group, whereby the plurality of users can simultaneouslyparticipate in the user group. It should be noted that the user names ofchild apparatuses displayed on the child apparatus standby screen may ormay not include the user name of a user operating the informationprocessing system 1. Further, on the child apparatus standby screen, itis indicated that the current state is the state where users are furtherrecruited to participate in the user group. Thus, the user viewing thechild apparatus standby screen can know the participants of the usergroup together with the progress state at the current moment. Further,in a case where a new child apparatus participates in the user group, auser name may be added, and display may be updated. Further, a singleuser operates the information processing system 1 in a scene where thisscreen is displayed, the process of receiving the addition of a useroperating the information processing system 1 may be allowed. In thiscase, similarly to the case where a child apparatus is added, a username may be added, and display may be updated.

In a case where the parent apparatus of the user group in which theinformation processing system 1 participates closes the recruitment ofusers to participate in the user group, a child apparatus game settingscreen is displayed on the display screen of the information processingsystem 1. The child apparatus game setting screen is a screen indicatingvarious setting contents of the game to be started from now. Forexample, on the child apparatus game setting screen, a selected gamefield, the description of a game rule, a constitution team situation,the ability of a game character to be used, and the like are displayed.It should be noted that the above various setting contents may be ableto be changed by the user operating the parent apparatus. Alternatively,an item that can be changed by a user operating a child apparatus may beincluded. In either case, if the above various setting contents arechanged, the apparatuses in the user group in which the informationprocessing system 1 participates may transmit and receive informationindicating the changed contents to and from each other, and the contentsdisplayed on the child apparatus game setting screen may beappropriately updated in accordance with the information.

In a case where the communication game by the user group in which theinformation processing system 1 participates is started, a game screenfor performing the communication game is displayed on the display screenof the information processing system 1, and the communication game isadvanced. When this communication game is performed, each of informationprocessing systems 1 participating in the communication game transmitsand receives, through local communication, information based on anoperation using each controller operating the information processingsystem 1. Here, the information based on an operation using thecontroller may be any information in accordance with the type of thegame. For example, the information may be operation information of anoperation itself using the controller (e.g., key data indicating anoperation on each button, stick data indicating the tilt state of thestick, sensor data indicating the detection states of the sensors suchas the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor, or thelike). Further, the information may be data of the results of makingpredetermined calculations on the operation information. Further, theinformation may be object information regarding a virtual objectoperated using the controller (object data indicating the position, thedirection, the action, the state, and the like of the virtual object ina virtual space) and the like. Further, the information may be any twoor more or all of these pieces of information.

It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 17,not an image for each of all the users belonging to the user group(e.g., an image including a virtual object controlled by each of all theusers) but an image for the users of the information processing system 1operating the information processing system 1 is displayed by splittingthe display screen of the information processing system 1, wherenecessary. For example, in a case where the user E1 and the user E2operate the information processing system 1, the display screen of theinformation processing system 1 is split into two display areas, animage including a virtual object controlled by an operation of the userE1 or a game image representing the first-person viewpoint of thevirtual object is displayed in one of the split display areas, and animage including a virtual object controlled by an operation of the userE2 or a game image representing the first-person viewpoint of thevirtual object is displayed in the other split display area. Thus, theexemplary embodiment is suitable for a game in which a display target isdifferent for each user. Alternatively, in a game according to anotherexemplary embodiment, a common screen for all the members of the usergroup may be displayed. Yet alternatively, the form may be such thateven in a case where a common screen for all the members of the usergroup is not used, but if two users use the information processingsystem 1, a common screen is displayed for these two users.

In a case where the user selects the option of newly creating a usergroup to perform a game on the lobby selection screen in FIG. 16, theinformation processing system 1 in which the creation of a group isselected becomes a parent apparatus, and the subsequent game processingis advanced. In FIG. 18, on the display screen of the informationprocessing system 1 in which a new user group is created, a parentapparatus standby screen is displayed. On the parent apparatus standbyscreen, the situation of the user group created by the informationprocessing system 1 as a parent apparatus is indicated. For example, onthe parent apparatus standby screen, the user name (the informationprocessing system 1; a name A1 in FIG. 18) of the user operating theparent apparatus of the user group and another user name (a name A2 inFIG. 18) in the user group are displayed. Here, the user name A1 and theuser name A2 displayed in FIG. 18 both indicate the user names of theinformation processing system 1 on which the parent apparatus standbyscreen is displayed. A play style in which two players use theinformation processing system 1 while communicating with otherinformation processing systems 1 is selected, and therefore, two usernames are registered as the user names of the information processingsystem 1. As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, in a casewhere the information processing system 1 as a parent apparatus isoperated by a plurality of users, the parent apparatus creates a usergroup, whereby the plurality of users can simultaneously participate inthe user group such that any one of the users is a user of the parentapparatus. It should be noted that user names displayed on the parentapparatus standby screen may or may not include the user name of a useroperating the information processing system 1. Further, on the parentapparatus standby screen, it is indicated that the current state is thestate where users are further recruited to participate in the usergroup. Thus, the user viewing the parent apparatus standby screen canknow the user names of users participating in the user group at thiscurrent moment and the progress state at the current moment. Further, ina case where a single user operates the information processing system 1,the process of receiving the addition of a user operating theinformation processing system 1 may be allowed.

On the parent apparatus standby screen, the option of closing therecruitment of users to participate in the newly generated user group(“close”) is also indicated. The user performs the operation ofselecting the option of closing the recruitment, whereby the informationprocessing system 1 as the parent apparatus can proceed to the start ofthe game without increasing any more participants.

In a case where the user of the parent apparatus of the user groupperforms the operation of closing the recruitment of users toparticipate in the user group, a parent apparatus game setting screen isdisplayed on the display screen of the information processing system 1.The parent apparatus game setting screen is a screen indicating varioussetting contents of the game to be started from now. For example, on theparent apparatus game setting screen, a selected game field, thedescription of a game rule, a constitution team situation, the abilityof a game character to be used, and the like are displayed. It should benoted that at least one of the above various setting contents may beable to be changed by the user operating the parent apparatus.Alternatively, an item that can be changed by a user operating a childapparatus may be included. In either case, if the above various settingcontents are changed, the apparatuses in the user group in which theinformation processing system 1 participates may transmit and receiveinformation indicating the changed contents to and from each other, andthe contents displayed on the parent apparatus game setting screen maybe appropriately updated in accordance with the information.

In a case where the communication game by the newly created user groupis started, a game screen for performing the communication game isdisplayed on the display screen of the information processing system 1,and the communication game is advanced. It should be noted that thecommunication game may be started in accordance with the fact that theuser of the parent apparatus of the user group performs the operation ofstarting the game (e.g., the operation of selecting the option of givingan instruction to start the game displayed on the parent apparatus gamesetting screen), or may be automatically started in accordance with thelapse of a predetermined time after the recruitment of participants isclosed, or in accordance with the satisfaction of a predeterminedcondition. Further, as described above, when this communication game isperformed, each of information processing systems 1 participating in thecommunication game transmits and receives, through local communication,information based on an operation using each controller operating theinformation processing system 1.

It should be noted that as shown in FIG. 18, in the exemplaryembodiment, also on the information processing system 1 as the parentapparatus, not an image for each of all the users belonging to the usergroup but an image for the users of the information processing system 1operating the information processing system 1 is displayed by splittingthe display screen of the information processing system 1, wherenecessary. For example, in a case where the user A1 and the user A2operate the information processing system 1 as the parent apparatus, thedisplay screen of the information processing system 1 is split into twodisplay areas, an image including a virtual object controlled by anoperation of the user A1 or a game image from the first-person viewpointof the virtual object is displayed in one of the split display areas,and an image including a virtual object controlled by an operation ofthe user A2 or a game image from the first-person viewpoint of thevirtual object is displayed in the other split display areas.Alternatively, in a game according to another exemplary embodiment, acommon screen for all the members of the user group may be displayed.Yet alternatively, the form may be such that even in a case where acommon screen for all the members of the user group is not used, but iftwo users use the information processing system 1, a common screen maybe displayed for these two users.

In a case where a play style in which three or more players play usingonly the information processing system 1 is selected on the play styleselection screen in the stationary mode shown in FIG. 16, various gamesettings are made, and then, a game screen for performing a game isdisplayed on the stationary monitor 6 connected to the informationprocessing system 1 as shown in FIG. 19. Here, as described withreference to FIG. 13, a display screen displayed on the stationarymonitor 6 is split in accordance with the number of users operating theinformation processing system 1. For example, the information processingsystem 1 is used by splitting the display area of the stationary monitor6 into four display areas, and an image for a user (e.g., an imageincluding a virtual object controlled by an operation of the user or agame image from the first-person viewpoint of the virtual object) isdisplayed in each of the split display areas.

A case is considered where the main body apparatus 2 is detached fromthe cradle 5 in the state where the display screen displayed on thestationary monitor 6 is split into four display areas as describedabove, and three or more users perform multiplayer play. In this case,as described above, the information processing system 1 switches fromthe stationary mode to the mobile mode and enters the state where thegame played by the three or more players in the stationary mode isplayed in the mobile mode. Meanwhile, in the exemplary embodiment, theupper limit of the total number of game participants in a case wheremultiplayer play is performed using only the information processingsystem 1 is two in the mobile mode and four in the stationary mode.Thus, in a case where the stationary mode switches to the mobile modeduring the game as described above, the total number of gameparticipants in the mobile mode is exceeded. Thus, in a case where thestationary mode switches to the mobile mode during the game, whereby thetotal number of game participants is exceeded, the informationprocessing system 1 once suspends this game and then displays, on thedisplay 12 of the main body apparatus 2, information urging the user tochange back the information processing system 1 to the stationary mode.

Then, in a case where the main body apparatus 2 is mounted on the cradle5 again in the above game suspension state, the information processingsystem 1 changes back from the mobile mode to the stationary mode andresumes the suspended game. That is, in accordance with the fact thatthe information processing system 1 changes back to the stationary mode,the information processing system 1 hides the display 12 of the mainbody apparatus 2, also splits the display area of the stationary monitor6 into four display areas, displays an image for a user in each of thesplit display areas, and resumes the game (e.g., from the suspendedstate).

It should be noted that in the examples, shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, of anoperation when a game in which multiplayer play can be performed usingone or more information processing systems 1 is performed, even in acase where a communication game is performed using a plurality ofinformation processing systems 1, a game image for a user of eachinformation processing system 1 is displayed on the display screen ofthe information processing system 1. Alternatively, a game image for auser of another information processing system 1 may also be displayed onthe display screen of the information processing system 1. In this case,the display screen of the information processing system 1 may be splitin accordance with the number of users obtained by adding the number ofusers of the other information processing system 1 to the number ofusers of the information processing system 1, and an image for a user ofthe information processing system 1 and an image for a user of the otherinformation processing system 1 may be displayed in each of the splitdisplay areas.

Further, the above process of suspending the game due to the switchingfrom the stationary mode to the mobile mode during the game may beperformed during the above communication game. In the examples, shown inFIGS. 16 to 19, of an operation when a game in which multiplayer playcan be performed using one or more information processing systems 1 isperformed, the upper limit of the number of participants in eachapparatus participating in the communication game is set to two. Thus,the number of users operating each information processing system 1participating in the communication game is limited to two before thecommunication game is started, regardless of whether the mobile mode orthe stationary mode. That is, in the above examples of an operation,even if the stationary mode switches to the mobile mode during thecommunication game, the limitation on the number of users as describedabove is not exceeded. However, if the upper limit of the number ofparticipants in each apparatus participating in the communication gameis four, and the upper limit of the number of game participants in eachapparatus is two in the mobile mode and four in the stationary mode in acase where multiplayer play is performed in each apparatus, and if thestationary mode switches to the mobile mode as described above duringthe communication game in any of the information processing systems 1participating in the communication game in the stationary mode for threeor more players, the limitation on the number of users in the mobilemode is exceeded in a similar manner. In such a case, the game may besuspended in all the information processing systems 1 participating inthe communication game, or the communication game may be suspended orended only in the information processing system 1 in which thelimitation on the number of users during the communication game isexceeded.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 20 to 24, a description is given of anexample of specific processing executed by the information processingsystem 1 according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagramshowing an example of a data area set in the DRAM 85 of the main bodyapparatus 2 according to the exemplary embodiment. It should be notedthat in the DRAM 85, in addition to data shown in FIG. 20, data used forother processes is also stored, but is not described in detail here.

In a program storage area of the DRAM 85, various programs Pa, which areexecuted by the information processing system 1, are stored. In theexemplary embodiment, as the various programs Pa, a communicationprogram for performing the above local communication with anotherinformation processing system 1, a communication program for wirelesslycommunicating with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4, anapplication program for performing information processing (e.g., gameprocessing) based on data acquired from the left controller 3 and/or theright controller 4 and another information processing system 1, a modesetting program for switching the operation mode in accordance with theattachment and detachment of the main body apparatus 2 to and from thecradle 5, and the like are stored. It should be noted that the variousprograms Pa may be stored in advance in the flash memory 84, or may beacquired from a storage medium attachable to and detachable from theinformation processing system 1 (e.g., the first type storage mediumattached to the first slot 23 or the second type storage medium attachedto the second slot 24) and stored in the DRAM 85, or may be acquiredfrom another apparatus via a network such as the Internet and stored inthe DRAM 85. The CPU 81 executes the various programs Pa stored in theDRAM 85.

In a data storage area of the DRAM 85, various pieces of data used forprocesses such as a communication process, information processing, andthe like executed by the information processing system 1 are stored. Inthe exemplary embodiment, in the DRAM 85, wireless communication settingdata Da, local communication setting data Db, operation data Dc,reception data Dd, transmission data De, setting mode data Df, groupinformation data Dg, game setting information data Dh, image data Di,and the like are stored.

The wireless communication setting data Da is data for wirelesslycommunicating with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. Forexample, the wireless communication setting data Da includes datarepresenting information indicating a value (e.g., an ID) uniquelyassigned to each controller, information indicating whether thecontroller is a left controller or a right controller, wirelesscommunication information regarding a connection setting (pairing)regarding wireless communication with the left controller 3 and theright controller 4, and information indicating whether or not the leftcontroller 3 and the right controller 4 are attached to the main bodyapparatus 2, and the like. It should be noted that the wirelesscommunication setting data Da is set by performing the above wirelesssetting process. The wireless setting process may be performed beforethe processing described later performed by the information processingsystem 1 is performed, or may be appropriately performed during thisprocessing.

The local communication setting data Db is data for directly wirelesslycommunicating with another information processing system 1 and is datafor performing so-called “local communication” with another informationprocessing system 1. For example, the local communication setting dataDb includes data for causing information processing systems 1 towirelessly communicate with each other through ad hoc communication andincludes data of information indicating a value uniquely assigned toanother information processing system 1 capable of performing localcommunication with the information processing system 1, and the like. Itshould be noted that the local communication setting data Db may be setin a case where a search is performed for another information processingsystem 1 capable of connecting to the information processing system 1through ad hoc communication, and the information processing systems 1are permitted to perform “local communication” with each other by aninput operation of the user, before the processing described laterperformed by the information processing system 1 is performed, or may beset during this processing.

The operation data Dc is operation data appropriately acquired from theleft controller 3 and/or the right controller 4. In the exemplaryembodiment, operation data is transmitted from the left controller 3and/or the right controller 4 in a predetermined cycle through wirelesscommunication, and the operation data Dc is appropriately updated usingthe received operation data. It should be noted that the update cycle ofthe operation data Dc may be such that the operation data Dc is updatedevery frame, which is the cycle of the processing described laterperformed by the information processing system 1, or is updated everycycle in which operation data is transmitted through the above wirelesscommunication.

The reception data Dd is data received from another informationprocessing system 1 through “local communication”. The transmission dataDe is data to be transmitted to another information processing system 1through “local communication”.

The setting mode data Df is data indicating whether the operation modeof the information processing system 1 is the mobile mode or thestationary mode. In the exemplary embodiment, before or during theprocessing described later performed by the information processingsystem 1, the operation mode of the information processing system 1 isappropriately determined (e.g., determined in the background of theabove processing) based on whether or not the main body apparatus 2 isattached to the cradle 5, and in accordance with the result of thedetermination, the setting mode data Df is updated.

The group information data Dg is data indicating information regarding auser group set when a communication game is performed using informationprocessing systems 1. For example, the group information data Dgincludes data of information indicating a parent apparatus of the usergroup and a user of the parent apparatus, information indicating a childapparatus participating in the user group and a user of the childapparatus, information indicating whether or not a user can participatein the user group (including information indicating that the user cannotparticipate in the user group because the game is being performed),information indicating the number of participants in the user group andthe number of users allowed to participate in the user group,information regarding a game application to be played by the generateduser group, and the like.

The game setting information data Dh is data indicating various settingcontents when a game is performed. The image data Di is data fordisplaying an image on the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 orthe display screen of the stationary monitor 6 when a game is performed.

Next, a detailed example of information processing (game processing)according to the exemplary embodiment is described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of processing up to the setting of a lobby (agroup) in the information processing executed by the informationprocessing system 1. FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an example ofprocessing in a case where the information processing system 1 becomes achild apparatus in a communication game in the information processingexecuted by the information processing system 1. FIG. 23 is a flow chartshowing an example of processing in a case where the informationprocessing system 1 becomes a parent apparatus in a communication gamein the information processing executed by an information processingsystem 1. FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing an example of processingperformed without locally communicating with another informationprocessing system in the information processing executed by aninformation processing system 1. FIG. 25 is a subroutine flow chartshowing an example of the details of a mode confirmation processperformed in steps 264 and 267 in FIG. 24. In the exemplary embodiment,a series of processes shown in FIGS. 21 to 25 is performed by the CPU 81executing the communication program, the mode setting program, and apredetermined application program (a game program) included in thevarious programs Pa. Further, the information processing shown in FIGS.21 to 25 is started at any timing. Further, in FIGS. 21 to 25, each stepexecuted by the CPU 81 is abbreviated as “S”.

It should be noted that the processes of all of the steps in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 21 to 25 are merely illustrative. Thus, theprocessing order of the steps may be changed, or another process may beperformed in addition to (or instead of) the processes of all of thesteps, so long as similar results are obtained. Further, in theexemplary embodiment, descriptions are given on the assumption that theCPU 81 performs the processes of all of the steps in the flow charts.Alternatively, a processor or a dedicated circuit other than the CPU 81may perform the processes of some of the steps in the flow charts. Yetalternatively, part of the processing performed by the main bodyapparatus 2 may be executed by another information processing apparatuscapable of communicating with the main body apparatus 2 (e.g., a servercapable of communicating with the main body apparatus 2 via a network).That is, each of the processes shown in FIGS. 21 to 25 may be executedby the cooperation of a plurality of information processing apparatusesincluding the main body apparatus 2.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the processes of setting thewireless communication setting data Da, the local communication settingdata Db, and the setting mode data Df may be performed before theprocessing in the flow charts shown in FIGS. 21 to 25. Here, theseprocesses are performed in parallel with (in the background of) theprocessing in the flow charts. Further, the process of updating theoperation data Dc is also performed in parallel with (in the backgroundof) the processing in the flow charts shown in FIGS. 21 to 25. That is,even when there is no processing step in the flow charts shown in FIGS.21 to 25, the operation data Dc and the setting mode data Df areappropriately updated by performing the setting processes in parallelwith the processing in the flow charts. It should be noted that asdescribed above, in a case where the setting mode is changed (i.e.,changed from the mobile mode to the stationary mode or changed from thestationary mode to the mobile mode) before or during the processing inthe flow charts shown in FIGS. 21 to 25, a display screen on which animage based on the processing is displayed is also switched inaccordance with the change in the setting mode.

In FIG. 21, the CPU 81 performs initialization in information processing(e.g., game processing) (step 201), and the processing proceeds to thenext step. For example, in the initialization, the CPU 81 initializesparameters for performing the processing described below. Further, inthe initialization, in a case where the processes of setting thewireless communication setting data Da, the local communication settingdata Db, and the setting mode data Df have already been performed, theCPU 81 sets the wireless communication setting data Da, the localcommunication setting data Db, and the setting mode data Df based on theresults of the processes.

Next, the CPU 81 displays the top menu (see FIG. 16) for selecting thenumber of players playing a game and urges the user to make a selection(step 202). In the exemplary embodiment, the description is given onlyof multiplayer play. Thus, here, the processing proceeds to the nextstep on the assumption that multiplayer play (“play together”) isselected.

Next, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the operation mode of theinformation processing system 1 is the mobile mode (step 203). Forexample, the CPU 81 references the setting mode data Df and determineswhether or not the operation mode of the information processing system 1is the mobile mode. Then, if the operation mode of the informationprocessing system 1 is the mobile mode, the processing proceeds to step204. If, on the other hand, the operation mode of the informationprocessing system 1 is the stationary mode, the processing proceeds tostep 205.

In step 204, the CPU 81 displays the play style selection screen for themobile mode (see FIG. 16) on the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2and urges the user to select in which use form (play style) themultiplayer play is to be performed. On the other hand, in step 205, theCPU 81 displays the play style selection screen for the stationary mode(see FIG. 16) on the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 and urgesthe user to select in which use form (play style) the multiplayer playis to be performed. Next, the CPU 81 references the operation data Dcand determines whether or not the user performs the operation ofselecting any play style (step 206). Then, if the user performs theoperation of selecting any play style, the processing proceeds to step207. If, on the other hand, the user does not perform the operation ofselecting any play style, the processing returns to the above step 203,and the process of step 203 is repeated.

In step 207, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the user selects aplay style in which communication play is performed (i.e., a play stylein which the information processing system 1 is used while communicatingwith other information processing systems 1). Then, if the user selectsthe play style in which communication play is performed, the processingproceeds to step 208. If, on the other hand, the user selects a playstyle in which multiplayer play is performed using only the informationprocessing system 1 without performing communication play, theprocessing proceeds to step 261 (see FIG. 24).

In step 208, based on the local communication setting data Db, the CPU81 receives group information from another information processing system1 capable of locally communicating with the information processingsystem 1, and the processing proceeds to the next step. For example, aswill be apparent later, a parent apparatus having created a user groupperiodically and wirelessly transmits group information indicating thecontent of the user group (e.g., the number of users, user information,and the like). In the above step 208, the CPU 81 receives the groupinformation wirelessly transmitted from the parent apparatus, stores thegroup information in the reception data Dd, and also updates the groupinformation data Dg.

Next, based on the group information received in the above step 208, theCPU 81 displays the lobby selection screen (see FIG. 16) on a displayscreen (the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 in the case of themobile mode, or the display screen of the stationary monitor 6 in thecase of the stationary mode) (step 209), and the processing proceeds tothe next step. For example, based on the group information data Dg, theCPU 81 displays, without using the display screen in a splitting manner,the user names of users operating parent apparatuses setting usergroups, the number of participants and the number of users allowed toparticipate with respect to each user group of the parent apparatuses,an image identifying whether or not the user can participate withrespect to each user group, the option of newly creating a user group,and the like. Here, based on the group information data Dg, the CPU 81may determine whether or not the user can participate with respect toeach user group, and based on the result of the determination,additionally display on the display screen an image identifying whetheror not the user can participate. Further, based on the group informationdata Dg, if there is a user group for which closing information istransmitted, the CPU 81 may additionally display on the display screenan image identifying that the user cannot participate in the user group.

Next, the CPU 81 references the operation data Dc and determines whetheror not the user performs the operation of choosing to participate in analready set user group in which the user can participate (step 210).Then, if the operation of choosing to participate in a user group inwhich the user can participate is performed, the processing proceeds tostep 221 (see FIG. 22). If, on the other hand, the operation of choosingto participate in a user group in which the user can participate is notperformed, the processing proceeds to step 211.

In step 211, the CPU 81 references the operation data Dc and determineswhether or not the user performs the operation of choosing to newlycreate a user group. Then, if the operation of choosing to newly createa user group is performed, the processing proceeds to step 241 (see FIG.23). If, on the other hand, the operation of choosing to newly create auser group is not performed, the processing returns to the above step208, and the process of step 208 is repeated.

In FIG. 22, if the operation of choosing to participate in a user groupin which the user can participate is performed, the informationprocessing system 1 on which this operation is performed becomes a childapparatus of the user group. Based on the local communication settingdata Db, the CPU 81 of the information processing system 1 having becomea child apparatus transmits participation information of theparticipation in the user group to the parent apparatus of the usergroup to which a participation request is made (step 221), and theprocessing proceeds to the next step. Here, the participationinformation includes information indicating that the user wishes toparticipate in the user group, identification information of theapparatus with which the participation request is made, the number ofusers operating the apparatus with which the participation request ismade, user information of each user operating the apparatus with whichthe participation request is made, and the like. The participationinformation is once stored in the transmission data De, and then inaccordance with the fact that a transmission cycle arrives, data storedin the transmission data De is wirelessly transmitted to the parentapparatus of the user group to which the participation request is made.It should be noted that as will be apparent later, if a participationrequest is transmitted to another information processing system 1 (aparent apparatus), the other information processing system 1 maytransmit a reply that the user cannot participate. In this case, theprocessing returns to the above step 208, and the CPU 81 performs thelobby selection process again.

Next, based on the local communication setting data Db, the CPU 81receives group information from the parent apparatus of the user groupin which the user participates (step 222), and the processing proceedsto the next step. For example, as will be apparent later, a parentapparatus having created a user group periodically and wirelesslytransmits group information indicating the content of the user group. Inthe above step 222, the CPU 81 receives the group information wirelesslytransmitted from the parent apparatus of the user group in which theuser participates. Then, the CPU 81 stores the group information in thereception data Dd and also updates the group information data Dg.

Next, based on the group information received in the above step 222, theCPU 81 displays the child apparatus standby screen (see FIG. 17) on adisplay screen (the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 in the caseof the mobile mode, or the display screen of the stationary monitor 6 inthe case of the stationary mode) (step 223), and the processing proceedsto the next step. For example, based on the group information data Dg,the CPU 81 displays, without using the display screen in a splittingmanner, the user name of a user operating the parent apparatus settingthe user group in which the user participates, the number of usersoperating child apparatuses of the user group and the user names ofthese users, and the like, and also indicates that the current state isthe state where users are further recruited to participate in the usergroup.

Next, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the recruitment ofparticipants in the user group in which the user participates is closed(step 224). For example, as will be apparent later, if the recruitmentof participants is closed, a parent apparatus having created a usergroup wirelessly transmits group information including closinginformation indicating that the recruitment is closed. If the CPU 81receives the closing information from the parent apparatus of the usergroup in which the user participates, the processing proceeds to step225. If, on the other hand, the CPU 81 does not receive the closinginformation from the parent apparatus of the user group in which theuser participates, the processing returns to the above step 222, and theprocess of step 222 is repeated.

In step 225, based on the local communication setting data Db, the CPU81 receives game setting information from the parent apparatus of theuser group in which the user participates, and the processing proceedsto the next step. For example, as will be apparent later, a parentapparatus having created a user group periodically and wirelesslytransmits game setting information indicating the setting contents ofthe game to be performed by the user group. In the above step 225, theCPU 81 receives the game setting information wirelessly transmitted fromfrom the parent apparatus of the user group in which the userparticipates. Then, the CPU 81 stores the game setting information inthe reception data Dd and also updates the game setting information dataDh.

Next, based on the game setting information received in the above step225, the CPU 81 displays the child apparatus game setting screen (seeFIG. 17) on the display screen (the display 12 of the main bodyapparatus 2 in the case of the mobile mode, or the display screen of thestationary monitor 6 in the case of the stationary mode) (step 226), andthe processing proceeds to the next step. For example, based on the gamesetting information data Dh, the CPU 81 displays, without using thedisplay screen in a splitting manner, the child apparatus game settingscreen indicating various setting contents of the game to be startedfrom now. It should be noted that the various setting contents displayedon the child apparatus game setting screen may include an item that canbe changed by a user operating a child apparatus. Even in this case, ifthe operation of changing the various setting contents is performed,game setting information indicating the changed contents is transmittedto the parent apparatus of the user group in which the userparticipates, and the contents displayed on the child apparatus gamesetting screen are appropriately updated in accordance with theinformation.

Next, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the game is to be started bythe user group in which the user participates (step 227). For example,as will be apparent later, if a parent apparatus having created a usergroup starts a game, the parent apparatus wirelessly transmits gamestart information indicating the start of the game. If the CPU 81receives the game start information from the parent apparatus of theuser group in which the user participates, the processing proceeds tostep 228. If, on the other hand, the CPU 81 does not receive the gamestart information from the parent apparatus of the user group in whichthe user participates, the processing returns to the above step 225, andthe process of step 225 is repeated.

In step 228, if the game is started, then based on the localcommunication setting data Db, the information processing system 1transmits operation information for playing the game to each ofinformation processing systems 1 of the user group in which the userparticipates, and the processing proceeds to the next step. Theoperation information is generated based on the operation content storedin the operation data Dc. Here, as described above, the operationinformation is information indicating the content of an operation itselfusing a controller operating the information processing system 1, and/orobject information regarding a virtual object operated using thecontroller. The operation information is once stored in the transmissiondata De, and then in accordance with the fact that a transmission cyclearrives, data stored in the transmission data De is wirelesslytransmitted to each apparatus of the user group in which the userparticipates.

Next, based on the local communication setting data Db, the CPU 81receives operation information from each apparatus of the user group inwhich the user participates (step 229), and the processing proceeds tothe next step. For example, similarly to the information processingsystem 1, each apparatus belonging to the user group periodically andwirelessly transmits, as operation information, information indicatingthe content of an operation itself using a controller operating theapparatus, and/or object information regarding a virtual object operatedusing the controller. In the above step 229, the CPU 81 receives theoperation information wirelessly transmitted from each apparatus of theuser group in which the user participates. Then, the CPU 81 stores theoperation information in the reception data Dd.

Next, the CPU 81 performs communication game processing (step 230), andthe processing proceeds to the next step. For example, based on theoperation data Dc and the operation information received from eachapparatus of the user group, the CPU 81 places in a virtual space avirtual object operated by each user of the user group in which the userparticipates, thereby constructing a virtual space in the game played bythe user group. Then, the CPU 81 generates a game image related to avirtual object operated by the user of the information processing system1 (an image including a virtual object controlled by an operation of theuser, or an image from the first-person viewpoint of the virtual object)and displays the game image on the display screen (the display 12 of themain body apparatus 2 in the case of the mobile mode, or the displayscreen of the stationary monitor 6 in the case of the stationary mode)(see FIG. 17). It should be noted that if a plurality of virtual objectsare operated by a plurality of users using the information processingsystem 1, the CPU 81 displays by screen splitting an image including thevirtual object controlled by an operation of each user, or an image fromthe first-person viewpoint of the virtual object, using the displayscreen in a splitting manner.

Next, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the game is to be ended (step231). In the above step 231, examples of conditions for ending the gameinclude: the fact that the result of the above game is settled; and thefact that the user of the information processing system 1 or the user ofthe parent apparatus of the user group in which the user participatesperforms the operation of ending the game. If the game is not to beended, the processing returns to the above step 228, and the process ofstep 228 is repeated. If the game is to be ended, the processing of theflow chart ends.

In FIG. 23, if the operation of creating a new user group is performed,the information processing system 1 on which this operation is performedbecomes a parent apparatus of the user group. Based on the localcommunication setting data Db, the CPU 81 of the information processingsystem 1 having become a parent apparatus transmits group information toanother information processing system 1 capable of locally communicatingwith the information processing system 1 (step 241), and the processingproceeds to the next step. Here, the group information is informationindicating the content of the user group created by the informationprocessing system 1 and includes the user name of a user operating theinformation processing system 1 (i.e., the parent apparatus), the numberof users operating child apparatuses participating in the user groupcreated by the information processing system 1 and the user names ofthese users, information indicating whether or not the user group isrecruiting users, and the like. Data indicating the information isstored in the group information data Dg. The CPU 81 once stores thegroup information in the transmission data De, and then in accordancewith the fact that a transmission cycle arrives, wirelessly transmitsthe data stored in the transmission data De to another informationprocessing system 1 capable of locally communicating with theinformation processing system 1.

Next, based on the local communication setting data Db, the CPU 81receives participation information from another information processingsystem 1 capable of locally communicating with the informationprocessing system 1 (step 242), and the processing proceeds to the nextstep. For example, as described in the above step 221, anotherinformation processing system 1 with which a participation request toparticipate in the user group created by the information processingsystem 1 is made transmits participation information of theparticipation in the user group. In the above step 242, the CPU 81receives the participation information wirelessly transmitted fromanother information processing system 1 with which the participationrequest is made. Then, the CPU 81 stores the participation informationin the reception data Dd. Then, the CPU 81 determines whether or not allusers of other information processing systems 1 having transmitted theparticipation information can participate in the user group of theinformation processing system 1. For example, if the upper limit of thetotal number of game participants allowed to participate in the usergroup created by the information processing system 1 has already beenreached, or the total number of game participants allowed to participatein the user group is exceeded if all the users having made theparticipation requests are permitted to participate in the user group,the CPU 81 makes a negative determination regarding the participationrequest. Then, if the above negative determination is made, the CPU 81transmits, to another information processing system 1 with which theparticipation request is made, a reply that the user of the otherinformation processing system 1 cannot participate.

Next, the CPU 81 updates the group information (step 243), and theprocessing proceeds to the next step. For example, based on the contentof the user group in which the information processing system 1 is theparent apparatus and which is indicated by the group information dataDg, and the participation information of the participation permitted inresponse to the participation request received in the above step 242,the CPU 81 changes the content of the user group and updates the groupinformation data Dg, where necessary.

Next, based on the group information updated in the above step 243, theCPU 81 displays the parent apparatus standby screen (see FIG. 18) on adisplay screen (the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 in the caseof the mobile mode, or the display screen of the stationary monitor 6 inthe case of the stationary mode) (step 244), and the processing proceedsto the next step. For example, based on the group information data Dg,the CPU 81 displays, without using the display screen in a splittingmanner, the number of users operating the parent apparatus (i.e., theinformation processing system 1) setting the user group in which theuser participates and the user names of these users, the user names ofusers operating child apparatuses of the user group, and the like, andalso indicates that the current state is the state where users arefurther recruited to participate in the user group.

Next, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the recruitment ofparticipants in the created user group is to be closed (step 245). Forexample, in accordance with a user operation on the parent apparatus(e.g., the operation of selecting the option “close” on the parentapparatus standby screen), or if a predetermined condition is satisfied(e.g., if the upper limit of the total number of game participantsallowed to participate in the user group is reached, or if apredetermined time elapses after the user group is created, or thelike), the parent apparatus having created the user group determinesthat the recruitment of participants in the created user group is to beclosed. Then, if the recruitment of participants in the created usergroup is to be closed, the processing proceeds to step 245. If, on theother hand, the recruitment of participants in the created user group isto be continued, the processing returns to the above step 241, and theprocess of step 241 is repeated.

In step 246, based on the local communication setting data Db, the CPU81 transmits closing information to another information processingsystem 1 capable of locally communicating with the informationprocessing system 1, and the processing proceeds to the next step. Here,the closing information is information indicating that the recruitmentof participants in the user group is closed. The closing information isinformation included in the group information. The CPU 81 once storesthe group information including the closing information in thetransmission data De, and then in accordance with the fact that atransmission cycle arrives, wirelessly transmits data stored in thetransmission data De to another information processing system 1 capableof locally communicating with the information processing system 1.

Next, based on the game setting information data Dh, the CPU 81 displaysthe parent apparatus game setting screen (see FIG. 18) on the displayscreen (the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 in the case of themobile mode, or the display screen of the stationary monitor 6 in thecase of the stationary mode) (step 247), and the processing proceeds tothe next step. For example, based on the game setting information dataDh, the CPU 81 displays, without using the display screen in a splittingmanner, the parent apparatus game setting screen indicating varioussetting contents of the game to be started from now.

Next, based on the operation data Dc, the CPU 81 determines whether ornot the operation of changing the settings of the various settingcontents displayed on the parent apparatus game setting screen isperformed (step 248). Then, if the operation of changing the settings isperformed, the processing proceeds to step 249. If, on the other hand,the operation of changing the settings is not performed, the processingproceeds to step 250.

In step 249, in accordance with the operation data Dc, the CPU 81changes the various setting contents displayed on the parent apparatusgame setting screen, and the processing proceeds to step 250. Forexample, using the various setting contents changed in accordance withthe operation data Dc, the CPU 81 updates the game setting informationdata Dh.

In step 250, based on the local communication setting data Db, the CPU81 transmits game setting information to a child apparatus belonging tothe user group created by the information processing system 1, and theprocessing proceeds to the next step. The CPU 81 once stores, in thetransmission data De, game setting information indicated by the gamesetting information data Dh and regarding the game to be performed bythe user group created by the information processing system 1, and thenin accordance with the fact that a transmission cycle arrives,wirelessly transmits data stored in the transmission data De to a childapparatus belonging to the user group created by the informationprocessing system 1.

Next, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the game is to be started bythe user group created by the information processing system 1 (step251). For example, in accordance with a user operation on the parentapparatus (e.g., the operation of selecting the option “start game” onthe parent apparatus game setting screen), or if a predeterminedcondition is satisfied (e.g., if a predetermined time elapses after therecruitment of participants is closed, or the like), the parentapparatus having created the user group determines that the game is tobe started by the created user group. Then, if the game is to bestarted, the CPU 81 wirelessly transmits game start informationindicating the start of the game to a child apparatus belonging to theuser group created by the information processing system 1. If the CPU 81starts the game and transmits the game start information to the childapparatus, the processing proceeds to step 252. If, on the other hand,the game is not to be started, the processing returns to the above step247, and the process of step 247 is repeated.

In step 252, if the game is started, then based on the localcommunication setting data Db, the CPU 81 transmits operationinformation for playing the game to each of information processingsystems 1 of the user group in which the user participates, and theprocessing proceeds to the next step. Similarly to the above step 228,the operation information is generated based on the operation contentstored in the operation data Dc and is wirelessly transmitted to eachapparatus of the same user group.

Next, based on the local communication setting data Db, the CPU 81receives operation information from each apparatus of the user group inwhich the user participates (step 253), and the processing proceeds tothe next step. Similarly to the above step 229, the CPU 81 receivesoperation information wirelessly transmitted from each apparatusbelonging to the same user group and stores the operation information inthe reception data Dd.

Next, the CPU 81 performs communication game processing (step 254), andthe processing proceeds to the next step. For example, based on theoperation data Dc and the operation information received from eachapparatus of the user group, the CPU 81 places in a virtual space avirtual object operated by each user of the user group in which the userparticipates, thereby constructing a virtual space in the game played bythe user group. Then, the CPU 81 generates a game image related to avirtual object operated by the user of the information processing system1 (an image including a virtual object controlled by an operation of theuser, or an image from the first-person viewpoint of the virtual object)and displays the game image on the display screen (the display 12 of themain body apparatus 2 in the case of the mobile mode, or the displayscreen of the stationary monitor 6 in the case of the stationary mode)(see FIG. 18). It should be noted that if a plurality of virtual objectsare operated by a plurality of users using the information processingsystem 1, the CPU 81 displays by screen splitting an image including thevirtual object controlled by an operation of each user, or an image fromthe first-person viewpoint of the virtual object, using the displayscreen in a splitting manner, depending on the content of the game.

Next, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the game is to be ended (step255). In the above step 255, examples of conditions for ending the gameinclude: the fact that the result of the above game is settled; and thefact that the user of the information processing system 1 performs theoperation of ending the game. If the game is not to be ended, theprocessing returns to the above step 252, and the process of step 252 isrepeated. If the game is to be ended, the processing of the flow chartends.

In FIG. 24, if a play style in which multiplayer play is performed usingonly the information processing system 1 without performingcommunication play is selected, then based on the game settinginformation data Dh, the information processing system 1 with which theplay style is selected displays a game setting screen on a displayscreen (the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2 in the case of themobile mode, or the display screen of the stationary monitor 6 in thecase of the stationary mode) (step 261), and the processing proceeds tothe next step. For example, based on the game setting information dataDh, the CPU 81 displays, without using the display screen in a splittingmanner, a game setting screen indicating various setting contents of thegame to be started from now.

Next, based on the operation data Dc, the CPU 81 determines whether ornot the operation of changing the settings of the various settingcontents displayed on the game setting screen of the informationprocessing system 1 is performed (step 262). Then, if the operation ofchanging the settings is performed, the processing proceeds to step 263.If, on the other hand, the operation of changing the settings is notperformed, the processing proceeds to step 264.

In step 263, in accordance with the operation data Dc, the CPU 81changes the various setting contents displayed on the game settingscreen of the information processing system 1, and the processingproceeds to step 264. For example, using the various setting contentschanged in accordance with the operation data Dc, the CPU 81 updates thegame setting information data Dh.

In step 264, the CPU 81 performs a mode confirmation process, and theprocessing proceeds to the next step. With reference to FIG. 25, adescription is given below of the mode setting process performed in theabove step 264.

In FIG. 25, the CPU 81 references the setting mode data Df anddetermines whether or not the operation mode of the informationprocessing system 1 is set to the mobile mode (step 301). Then, if theinformation processing system 1 is set to the mobile mode, theprocessing proceeds to step 302. If, on the other hand, the informationprocessing system 1 is set to the stationary mode, the processing of thesubroutine ends.

In step 302, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the number of usersperforming the game is less than or equal to the upper limit (e.g., twousers) of the total number of game participants in a case wheremultiplayer play is performed in the mobile mode. Then, if the number ofusers performing the game exceeds the upper limit of the total number ofgame participants in a case where multiplayer play is performed in themobile mode, the processing proceeds to step 303. If, on the other hand,the number of users performing the game is less than or equal to theupper limit of the total number of game participants in a case wheremultiplayer play is performed in the mobile mode, the processing of thesubroutine ends.

In step 303, the CPU 81 suspends the processes performed before the modeconfirmation process is performed (e.g., the process of making gamesettings and the process of advancing the game) (see FIG. 19), and theprocessing proceeds to the next step.

Next, the CPU 81 notifies the user of cradle attachment/detachmentinformation (step 304), and the processing proceeds to the next step.For example, the CPU 81 displays, on the display 12 of the main bodyapparatus 2, information urging the user to change back the informationprocessing system 1 to the stationary mode (see FIG. 19) or outputs,from the loudspeakers 88 of the main body apparatus 2, sounds urging theuser to change back the information processing system 1 to thestationary mode, thereby notifying the user of cradleattachment/detachment information.

Next, the CPU 81 references the setting mode data Df and determineswhether or not the operation mode of the information processing system 1is changed back to the stationary mode (step 305). Then, if theinformation processing system 1 is set to the stationary mode, theprocessing proceeds to step 306. If, on the other hand, the informationprocessing system 1 is set to the mobile mode, the process of step 304is repeated.

In step 306, the CPU 81 resumes the processes suspended in the abovestep 303, and the processing of the subroutine ends. By the process ofstep 306, the processes performed and suspended before the modeconfirmation process are performed (e.g., the process of making gamesettings and the process of advancing the game) are resumed (see FIG.19).

Referring back to FIG. 24, after the mode confirmation process in theabove step 264, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the game is to bestarted (step 265). For example, in accordance with a user operation onthe information processing system 1 (e.g., the operation of selectingthe option “start game” on the game setting screen), or if apredetermined condition is satisfied (e.g., if a predetermined timeelapses after the game setting screen is displayed, or the like), theCPU 81 determines that the game is to be started. Then, if the game isto be started, the processing proceeds to step 266. If, on the otherhand, the game is not to be started, the processing returns to the abovestep 261, and the process of step 261 is repeated.

In step 266, the CPU 81 performs game processing only by the informationprocessing system 1, and the processing proceeds to the next step. Forexample, based on the operation data Dc, the CPU 81 places in a virtualspace a virtual object operated by each user of the informationprocessing system 1, thereby constructing a virtual space in the gameplayed by the user. Then, the CPU 81 generates by screen splitting agame image related to the virtual object operated by each user of theinformation processing system 1 (an image including the virtual objectcontrolled by an operation of the user, or an image from thefirst-person viewpoint of the virtual object) and displays the gameimage on the display screen (the display 12 of the main body apparatus 2in the case of the mobile mode, or the display screen of the stationarymonitor 6 in the case of the stationary mode) using the display screenin a splitting manner (see FIG. 19).

Next, the CPU 81 performs a mode confirmation process (step 267), andthe processing proceeds to the next step. It should be noted that themode confirmation process performed in the above step 267 is similar tothe mode confirmation process in the above step 264, which has beendescribed with reference to FIG. 25, and therefore is not described indetail here.

Next, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the game is to be ended (step268). In the above step 268, examples of conditions for ending the gameinclude: the fact that the result of the above game is settled; and thefact that the user of the information processing system 1 performs theoperation of ending the game. If the game is not to be ended, theprocessing returns to the above step 266, and the process of step 266 isrepeated. If the game is to be ended, the processing of the flow chartends.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, in a case where acommunication game is performed using a plurality of informationprocessing systems 1, a larger number of users than the number of theinformation processing systems 1 can participate in the communicationgame. Further, in the mobile mode, it is possible to carry a displayscreen to a place desired by a user. On the other hand, in a case whereinformation processing (e.g., game processing) in which a display screenis used in a splitting manner by a plurality of users is performed, thenin the stationary mode, it is possible to use a relatively large displayscreen in a splitting manner. Thus, even if the display screen is usedby relatively many users, it is possible to sufficiently secure thesizes of the split display areas. As described above, the mobile modeand the stationary mode are appropriately used, whereby it is possibleto improve the convenience of a mobile apparatus and a stationaryapparatus.

It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment, in a case where acommunication game is performed using a user group to which a pluralityof information processing systems 1 belong, then on the display screenof each information processing system 1, not an image for each of allusers belonging to the user group (e.g., an image including a virtualobject controlled by each of all the users) but an image for a user ofthe information processing system 1 operating the information processingsystem 1 is displayed. Alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment,in a case where a communication game is performed using a user group towhich a plurality of information processing systems 1 belong, then onthe display screen of at least one of the plurality of informationprocessing systems 1, images for users other than the users of theinformation processing system 1 belonging to the user group may bedisplayed. In this case, the display screen of the informationprocessing system 1 is used by being split into the number obtained byadding the number of the users other than the users of the informationprocessing system 1 to the number of the users of the informationprocessing system 1, and an image for each user is displayed by screensplitting. Further, in another exemplary embodiment, a common image forall the users may be displayed.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, after the recruitment forparticipation in a user group is closed, a game is started through theprocesses of confirming and changing game setting information.Alternatively, the processes of confirming and changing game settinginformation may not be performed. In this case, in accordance with thefact that an information processing system 1 as a parent apparatusperforms the process of starting the game, the recruitment forparticipation in the user group may be closed, and the game may bestarted.

Further, an example has been shown where operation information exchangedin a case where a communication game is performed using a user group towhich a plurality of information processing systems 1 belong isinformation indicating the content of an operation itself using acontroller operating the information processing system 1, and objectinformation regarding a virtual object operated using the controller.Alternatively, the operation information may be another piece ofinformation so long as the information allows users to understand theprogression of the game of each other. For example, the operationinformation may be information of a virtual camera operated in theinformation processing system 1, or information of an image itselfcreated for a user of the information processing system 1.

Further, in a case where the information processing system 1 is operatedby a plurality of users in the mobile mode according to the exemplaryembodiment, and if the number of users operating the informationprocessing system 1 increases, the amount of processing performed by themain body apparatus 2 increases. Thus, it is possible that the powerconsumption of the main body apparatus 2 increases. In the mobile modeaccording to the exemplary embodiment, however, the number of operatingusers is limited to a small number of users relative to the stationarymode, and the processing capability of the main body apparatus 2 is alsolimited. Thus, it is possible to reduce the power consumption in themobile mode. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, in a case where themain body apparatus 2 is desired to be used by users exceeding thelimitation on the number of operating users in the mobile mode, the mainbody apparatus 2 is switched to the stationary mode, whereby it ispossible to charge the main body apparatus 2 via the cradle 5. Thus, alarger number of users than the limitation can use the main bodyapparatus 2, and the limitation on the processing capability of the mainbody apparatus 2 is also eliminated. Thus, it is also possible to use arelatively large stationary display screen in a splitting manner. Thatis, in the stationary mode according to the exemplary embodiment, alarger number of users can use the main body apparatus 2, which ishighly convenient, by eliminating various limitations in the mobilemode.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, a single user uses a singlecontroller (i.e., one of the left controller 3 and the right controller4). In this case, the use form is such that a single user uses a singlecontroller as a single operation device. Alternatively, in the exemplaryembodiment, the use form may be such that a single user uses a pair ofcontrollers (i.e., both the left controller 3 and the right controller4), holds one of the controllers (i.e., the left controller 3) with theleft hand, holds the other controller (i.e., the right controller 4)with the right hand, and operates the controllers. In this case, the useform is such that a single user uses a pair of controllers as a singleoperation device. That is, in the exemplary embodiment, an operationdevice operated by a user may be a single controller or a plurality ofcontrollers. The concept of the operation device according to theexemplary embodiment is that the operation device can be configured withone or more controllers.

Further, in the exemplary embodiment, information indicating the numberof all users participating in a user group of a communication game (inother words, the number of all operation devices used in thecommunication game) may be managed by a parent apparatus of the usergroup, or managed by each apparatus of the user group. In the secondcase, each apparatus may acquire the number of users participating inthe user group from another apparatus (in other words, the number ofoperation devices operating another apparatus) and tally up the numberof users, thereby managing the number of all the users.

Further, in another exemplary embodiment, the main body apparatus 2 maybe able to directly communicate with the stationary monitor 6. Forexample, the main body apparatus 2 and the stationary monitor 6 may beable to directly perform wired communication with each other, ordirectly perform wireless communication with each other. In this case,based on whether or not the main body apparatus 2 and the stationarymonitor 6 can directly communicate with each other, the main bodyapparatus 2 may determine the display destination of an image and switchthe operation mode.

Further, an additional apparatus (e.g., a cradle) may be any additionalapparatus attachable to and detachable from the main body apparatus 2.The additional apparatus may or may not have the function of chargingthe main body apparatus 2 as in the exemplary embodiment.

Further, the information processing system 1 may be any apparatus, andmay be a mobile game apparatus, any mobile electronic device (a PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, a personal computer, acamera, a tablet, or the like) or the like.

Further, the above descriptions have been given using an example wherethe information processing system 1 performs information processing(game processing) and a communication process. Alternatively, anotherapparatus may perform at least some of the processing steps. Forexample, if the information processing system 1 is further configured tocommunicate with another apparatus (e.g., another server, another imagedisplay apparatus, another game apparatus, or another mobile terminal),the other apparatus may cooperate to perform the processing steps.Another apparatus may thus perform at least some of the processingsteps, thereby enabling processing similar to that described above.Further, the information processing and the communication processdescribed above can be performed by a processor or the cooperation of aplurality of processors, the processor or the plurality of processorsincluded in an information processing system including at least oneinformation processing apparatus. Further, in the above exemplaryembodiment, information processing and a communication process can beperformed by the CPU 81 of the information processing system 1 executinga predetermined program. Alternatively, part or all of the processing ofthe flow charts may be performed by a dedicated circuit included in theinformation processing system 1.

Here, the above variations make it possible to achieve the exemplaryembodiment also by a system form such as cloud computing, or a systemform such as a distributed wide area network or a local area network.For example, in a system form such as a distributed local area network,it is possible to execute the processing between a stationaryinformation processing apparatus (a stationary game apparatus) and amobile information processing apparatus (a mobile game apparatus) by thecooperation of the apparatuses. It should be noted that, in these systemforms, there is no particular limitation on which apparatus performs theabove processing. Thus, it goes without saying that it is possible toachieve the exemplary embodiment by sharing the processing in anymanner.

Further, the processing orders, the setting values, the conditions usedin the determinations, and the like that are used in the informationprocessing described above are merely illustrative. Thus, it goeswithout saying that the exemplary embodiment can be achieved also withother orders, other values, and other conditions.

Further, the above program may be supplied to the information processingsystem 1 not only through an external storage medium such as an externalmemory, but also through a wired or wireless communication link.Further, the program may be stored in advance in a non-volatile storagedevice included in the apparatus. It should be noted that examples of aninformation storage medium having stored therein the program may includeCD-ROMs, DVDs, optical disk storage media similar to these, flexibledisks, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, and magnetic tapes, as well asnon-volatile memories. Alternatively, an information storage mediumhaving stored therein the program may be a volatile memory for storingthe program. It can be said that such a storage medium is a storagemedium readable by a computer or the like. For example, it is possibleto provide the various functions described above by causing a computeror the like to load a program from the storage medium and execute it.

While some exemplary systems, exemplary methods, exemplary devices, andexemplary apparatuses have been described in detail above, the abovedescriptions are merely illustrative in all respects, and do not limitthe scope of the systems, the methods, the devices, and the apparatuses.It goes without saying that the systems, the methods, the devices, andthe apparatuses can be improved and modified in various manners withoutdeparting the spirit and scope of the appended claims. It is understoodthat the scope of the systems, the methods, the devices, and theapparatuses should be interpreted only by the scope of the appendedclaims. Further, it is understood that the specific descriptions of theexemplary embodiment enable a person skilled in the art to carry out anequivalent scope on the basis of the descriptions of the exemplaryembodiment and general technical knowledge. It should be understoodthat, when used in the specification, the components and the likedescribed in the singular with the word “a” or “an” preceding them donot exclude the plurals of the components. Furthermore, it should beunderstood that, unless otherwise stated, the terms used in thespecification are used in their common meanings in the field. Thus,unless otherwise defined, all the jargons and the technical terms usedin the specification have the same meanings as those generallyunderstood by a person skilled in the art in the field of the exemplaryembodiment. If there is a conflict, the specification (includingdefinitions) takes precedence.

As described above, the exemplary embodiment can be used as, forexample, an information processing apparatus, an information processingsystem, an information processing method, an information processingprogram, and the like in order, for example, to allow a larger number ofusers to participate in a communication game with a small number ofapparatuses.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: adisplay configured to display an image; a communicator configured todirectly communicate wirelessly with another information processingapparatus; and a computer processor configured to: receive a pluralityof operation input data from a plurality of operation devices; performgame processing for a communication game based on the plurality ofoperation input data and information received via the communicator; andbased on the game processing, generate, by screen splitting, game imagesincluding images on which operations on the plurality of respectiveoperation devices are reflected, and cause the game images to bedisplayed on the display.
 2. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the communicator further transmits, to theother information processing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices operating the informationprocessing apparatus.
 3. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the communicator receives, from the otherinformation processing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices operating the otherinformation processing apparatus, and the computer processor is furtherconfigured to, based onnumber-of-operation-devices-operating-own-information-processing-apparatusinformation indicating the number of the operation devices operating theinformation processing apparatus and the receivednumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information,calculate number-of-all-operation-devices information indicating thenumber of all operation devices used for the communication game andstore the number-of-all-operation-devices information in a memory. 4.The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thenumber-of-all-operation-devices information is further transmitted tothe other information processing apparatus via the communicator.
 5. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thecommunicator further receives from the other information processingapparatus a participation request to participate in the communicationgame, together with thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information of theother information processing apparatus, and in response to the receivedparticipation request, in a case where a number obtained by adding thenumber of operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationreceived together with the participation request to the number of alloperation devices indicated by the number-of-all-operation-devicesinformation at a current moment exceeds a predetermined upper limit, theparticipation request is rejected, and a notification indicating thatthe other information processing apparatus is not permitted toparticipate in the communication game is transmitted via thecommunicator to the other information processing apparatus with whichthe participation request is made.
 6. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communicator receives, fromthe other information processing apparatus,number-of-all-operation-devices information obtained by totaling thenumbers of the operation devices operating information processingapparatuses participating in the communication game.
 7. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the computerprocessor is further configured to determine whether or not aparticipation request to participate in the communication game can bemade, and in a case where a participation request can be made, thenbased on the plurality of operation input data, transmit to, at leastone of other information processing apparatuses participating in thecommunication game, a participation request to participate in thecommunication game, and in a case where a number obtained by adding thenumber of the plurality of operation devices from which the plurality ofoperation input data are received to the number of all operation devicesindicated by the number-of-all-operation-devices information exceeds apredetermined upper limit, the participation request is not transmittedto the other information processing apparatus.
 8. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communicatorreceives, from the other information processing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices operating the otherinformation processing apparatus, and the computer processor is furtherconfigured to total the number of operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationreceived from an apparatus participating in the communication game,calculate number-of-operation-devices state information indicating thenumber of operation devices at a current moment to be used for thecommunication game, and store the number-of-operation-devices stateinformation in a memory.
 9. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the computer processor is furtherconfigured to generate an image including information indicatingpresence of another information processing apparatus with which thecommunicator can perform the direct communication, and display the imageon the display, at least one start standby image for the communicationgame including at least an image that allows recognition of a numberindicated by the number-of-all-operation-devices information isgenerated, and the computer processor is further configured to, in acase where any of the plurality of operation input data indicate anoperation indicating participation in the communication game representedby the start standby image, transmit, to at least one of otherinformation processing apparatuses participating in the communicationgame, a participation request to participate in the communication game.10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe information received via the communicator is operation dataindicating an operation on a predetermined operation device or positiondata of a position, in a virtual space, of an object that appears in thecommunication game.
 11. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of operation devices iswirelessly connected to the information processing apparatus throughwireless communication, and the plurality of operation input data arereceived using the wireless connection.
 12. The information processingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the computer processor isfurther configured to, based on operation input data selected by a userof the information processing apparatus from a plurality of use forms,determine the number of the operation devices operating the informationprocessing apparatus.
 13. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus can display animage by switching between the display provided in a main body of theinformation processing apparatus and an external display providedoutside the main body of the information processing apparatus, and in acase where an image is displayed on the external display, the gameimages generated by screen splitting are displayed on at least theexternal display.
 14. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein each of the game images is an image including a virtualobject that can be operated using each of the operation devices, or animage viewed from a virtual camera that can be operated using each ofthe operation devices.
 15. An information processing system including aplurality of information processing apparatuses and a predeterminednumber of operation devices, one or more of which are connected to eachof the information processing apparatuses for game processing and eachoutput operation data to the connected information processing apparatus,wherein the number of the operation devices is a number exceeding thenumber of the plurality of information processing apparatuses, each ofthe plurality of information processing apparatuses comprises: a displayconfigured to display an image; a communicator configured to wirelesslycommunicate with any of the other information processing apparatuses;and a computer processor configured to: perform the game processing; andgenerate a game image based on the game processing and cause the gameimage to be displayed on the display, each of the information processingapparatuses wirelessly communicates with any of the other informationprocessing apparatuses via the communicator, based on operation dataacquired from the connected operation devices and data acquired via thecommunicator, game processing for a communication game is performed, anyof the information processing apparatuses to which two or more of theoperation devices are connected generates, by screen splitting, gameimages including images on which operations on the two or morerespective operation devices are reflected, and causes the game imagesto be displayed on the display of the information processing apparatus,and any of the information processing apparatuses to which one of theoperation devices is connected generates, without splitting a screen, agame image including an image on which an operation on the one of theoperation devices is reflected, and causes the game image to bedisplayed on the display of the information processing apparatus. 16.The information processing system according to claim 15, wherein thecommunicator transmits, to the other information processing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices connected to theinformation processing apparatus.
 17. The information processing systemaccording to claim 15, wherein the communicator of one of the pluralityof information processing apparatuses receives, from any of the otherinformation processing apparatuses,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices connected to the otherinformation processing apparatus, and the computer processor of one ofthe information processing apparatuses is further configured to, basedonnumber-of-operation-devices-operating-own-information-processing-apparatusinformation indicating the number of the operation devices connected tothe information processing apparatus and the receivednumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information,calculate number-of-all-operation-devices information indicating thenumber of all operation devices used for the communication game andstore the number-of-all-operation-devices information in a memory. 18.The information processing system according to claim 17, wherein thenumber-of-all-operation-devices information is further transmitted tothe other information processing apparatus via the communicator.
 19. Theinformation processing system according to claim 17, wherein thecommunicator of one of the information processing apparatuses furtherreceives from any of the other information processing apparatuses aparticipation request to participate in the communication game, togetherwith the number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatusinformation of the other information processing apparatus, and inresponse to the received participation request, in a case where a numberobtained by adding the number of operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationreceived together with the participation request to the number of alloperation devices indicated by the number-of-all-operation-devicesinformation at a current moment exceeds a predetermined upper limit, theparticipation request is rejected, and a notification indicating thatthe other information processing apparatus is not permitted toparticipate in the communication game is transmitted via thecommunicator to the other information processing apparatus with whichthe participation request is made.
 20. The information processing systemaccording to claim 15, wherein the communicator receives, from the otherinformation processing apparatus, number-of-all-operation-devicesinformation obtained by totaling the numbers of the operation devicesconnected to information processing apparatuses participating in thecommunication game.
 21. The information processing system according toclaim 20, wherein the computer processor of at least one of theplurality of information processing apparatuses is further configured todetermine whether or not a participation request to participate in thecommunication game can be made, and in a case where a participationrequest can be made, then based on the plurality of operation inputdata, transmit, to at least one of the other information processingapparatuses participating in the communication game, a participationrequest to participate in the communication game, and in a case where anumber obtained by adding the number of the operation devices connectedto the information processing apparatus to the number of all operationdevices indicated by the number-of-all-operation-devices informationexceeds a predetermined upper limit, the participation request is nottransmitted to the other information processing apparatus.
 22. Theinformation processing system according to claim 15, wherein thecommunicator of at least one of the plurality of information processingapparatuses receives, from any of the other information processingapparatuses, number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatusinformation indicating the number of the operation devices connected tothe other information processing apparatus, and the computer processorof at least one of the information processing apparatuses is furtherconfigured to total the number of operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationreceived by an apparatus participating in the communication game,calculate number-of-operation-devices state information indicating thenumber of operation devices at a current moment used in thecommunication game, and store the number-of-operation-devices stateinformation in the memory.
 23. The information processing systemaccording to claim 20, wherein the computer processor of each of theplurality of information processing apparatuses is further configured togenerate an image including information indicating presence of anotherinformation processing apparatus with which the communicator can performthe wireless communication, and display the image on the display, atleast one start standby image for the communication game including atleast an image that allows recognition of a number indicated by thenumber-of-all-operation-devices information is generated, and thecomputer processor of each of the plurality of information processingapparatuses is further configured to, in a case where any of theplurality of operation data acquired from the connected operationdevices indicate an operation indicating participation in thecommunication game represented by the start standby image, transmit, toat least one of the other information processing apparatusesparticipating in the communication game, a participation request toparticipate in the communication game.
 24. The information processingsystem according to claim 17, wherein the communicator of one of theinformation processing apparatuses further receives from any of theother information processing apparatuses a participation request toparticipate in the communication game, together with thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information of theother information processing apparatus, and in response to the receivedparticipation request, in at least one of a case where a number obtainedby adding the number of operation devices indicated by thenumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationreceived together with the participation request to the number of alloperation devices indicated by the number-of-all-operation-devicesinformation at a current moment exceeds a first upper limit, and a casewhere a number obtained by adding the other information processingapparatus with which the participation request is made to the number ofinformation processing apparatuses with which participation requests aremade to participate in the communication game at the current momentexceeds a second upper limit, the participation request is rejected, anda notification indicating that the other information processingapparatus is not permitted to participate in the communication game istransmitted via the communicator to the other information processingapparatus with which the participation request is made.
 25. Aninformation processing method executed by a processor or cooperation ofa plurality of processors, the processor or the plurality of processorsincluded in an information processing system including a plurality ofinformation processing apparatuses each including a display configuredto display an image, and a predetermined number of operation devices,wherein one or more of the operation devices are connected to each ofthe information processing apparatuses for game processing and eachoutput operation data to the connected information processing apparatus,the number of the operation devices is a number exceeding the number ofthe plurality of information processing apparatuses, each of theplurality of information processing apparatuses: wirelessly communicateswith any of the other information processing apparatuses; and based onoperation data acquired from the connected operation devices and dataacquired through the wireless communication, perform game processing fora communication game, any of the information processing apparatuses towhich two or more of the operation devices are connected generates, byscreen splitting, game images including images on which operations onthe two or more respective operation devices are reflected, and causesthe game images to be displayed on the display of the informationprocessing apparatus, and any of the information processing apparatusesto which one of the operation devices is connected generates, withoutsplitting a screen, a game image including an image on which anoperation on the one of the operation devices is reflected, and causesthe game image to be displayed on the display of the informationprocessing apparatus.
 26. The information processing method according toclaim 25, wherein the information processing apparatus furthertransmits, to the other information processing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices connected to theinformation processing apparatus.
 27. The information processing methodaccording to claim 25, wherein one of the plurality of informationprocessing apparatuses receives, from any of the other informationprocessing apparatuses,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices connected to the otherinformation processing apparatus, and the computer processor of one ofthe information processing apparatuses is further configured to, basedonnumber-of-operation-devices-operating-own-information-processing-apparatusinformation indicating the number of the operation devices connected tothe information processing apparatus and the receivednumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information,calculate number-of-all-operation-devices information indicating thenumber of all operation devices used for the communication game.
 28. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein aninformation processing program executed by a computer included in aninformation processing apparatus including a display configured todisplay an image and capable of directly communicating wirelessly withanother information processing apparatus, the information processingprogram causing the computer to execute: receiving a plurality ofoperation input data from a plurality of operation devices; performinggame processing for a communication game based on the plurality ofoperation input data and information received through the directcommunication; based on the game processing, generating, by screensplitting, game images including images on which operations on theplurality of respective operation devices are reflected, and causing thegame images to be displayed on the display; and transmitting to theother information processing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices from which the pluralityof the operation input data are received.
 29. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having stored therein the informationprocessing program according to claim 28, wherein the informationreceived through the direct communication includes at leastnumber-of-all-operation-devices information obtained by totaling thenumbers of the operation devices operating information processingapparatuses participating in the communication game.
 30. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein aninformation processing program executed by a computer included in aninformation processing apparatus including a display configured todisplay an image and capable of directly communicating wirelessly withanother information processing apparatus, the information processingprogram causing the computer to execute: receiving a plurality ofoperation input data from a plurality of operation devices; performinggame processing for a communication game based on the plurality ofoperation input data and information received through the directcommunication; based on the game processing, generating, by screensplitting, game images including images on which operations on theplurality of operation devices are reflected, and causing the gameimages to be displayed on the display; acquiring, from the otherinformation processing apparatus,number-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus informationindicating the number of the operation devices operating the otherinformation processing apparatus; and based onnumber-of-operation-devices-operating-own-information-processing-apparatusinformation indicating the number of the operation devices from whichthe plurality of operation input data are received and the receivednumber-of-operation-devices-operating-each-apparatus information,calculating number-of-all-operation-devices information indicating thenumber of all operation devices used for the communication game andstoring the number-of-all-operation-devices information in a memory. 31.The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having storedtherein the information processing program according to claim 30,wherein the number-of-all-operation-devices information is furthertransmitted to the other information processing apparatus in the storingof the number-of-all-operation-devices information in the memory.